What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a high wing over a low wing...and vice versa?

Answer 1

Our aircraft are so good, I think it comes down to personal choices. There's not enough difference to worry about between the two. I personally favor low wing, but it's not really that important. I've flown high wing Cessnas, low wing Mooneys, Pipers, and Bonanzas. Same is true in twins. The Aero Commander is a great plane with a high wing, and the Cessna 421 is a great plane with a low wing. Like I said, personal choice.

Answer 2

A basic reason is that a high wing aircraft is natural.
A bird has it's wings high on the body. This permits a stable flight as the body acts like a pendulum. A bird hangs from it's wings for a clearer picture. Same principle for a high wing aircraft.
A high wing aircraft is not "top heavy" so to speak.
A low wing aircraft is stable, however they do make for good trainers.
When a pilot is learning in the circuit during a turn there is a clear view of the runway and where you are turning to. A high wing blocks a clear view of the runway.

Best reasons I can think of.

Answer 3

There are some good points above. I have a few more to add, and try to summarize:
High Wing Advantages:
- Stability due to natural dihedral effect (pendulum effect of mass of fuse below the wing)
- Visibility of the ground while flying (most - if not all - successul military observation aircraft were high-wing)
- Landing gear is easier to check because you don't have to crawl on your belly
- Easier to get into on a pouring rainy day (stand under the wing....nice and dry....open the door....nice and dry....)

Low Wing Advantages:
- Fueling is usually easier
- Visibility in the circuit (wing doesn't block runway view on base turn)
- General air-to-air visibility is better (except straight below)
- Drag is generally lower (since high wings tend to have struts) which leads to better speed and fuel economy
- More elevator and rudder authority with flaps extended since the empennage isn't in the downwash shadow of the wing
- looks sexier
- checking for icing buildup

I really like the guy who bought the bipe to get the best of both worlds....LOL

Answer 4

high wing has much better visibility downwards, but the wings make for a huge blind area up. conversely, the low wing has excellent visibility everywhere except underneath the wings. The high wing is inheritly more stable because the weight if the aircraft is underneath the wing where it wants to be. Low wing airplanes are the coolest to fly, but they can be a pain on the ground because the wing is low enough that it keeps getting bumped into and you have to crawl underneath it to check tires and stuff. Still, any airplane is better that no airplane.

Answer 5

In my experience when I was a student, it is much easier to work with a low wing aircraft. Preflight checks are done below eye level and therefore you can see whats on the top of the wing and check the fuel on the top of the wing without a ladder to get up there. I also seem to notice that a low wing aircraft handles better low to the ground such as on landing... lower wing means tighter cushion of air between it and the ground... The only problem with the low wing, as stated before, you get a much better view with the low wing...

Answer 6

One of the obvious things.. a high wing provides the pilot with a better view!

Answer 7

they both have good and bad points,

top wing = can't see above or in a pattern turn, but great flight visibility

low wing = can see in turns and above you, crappy downward visability

Do what I did and buy one with both.!

Answer 8

i think it all depends on what you what to do in your plane. if you want to sightsee a high wing is good.