HumanPoweredDesigner
Well-Known Member
With a high wing, especially one with a tall fuselage, if the plan tips, the fuselage itself tilted out, and leverage and gravity pull the plan back to level. So high wing planes don't need dihedral, and can get more lift with less power because they don't need the extra safety.
With a low wing plan, the opposite could happen unless the fuselage was flat enough. That is why they must give wings dihedral, so that if one wing rises, it has less lift at that angle and comes back down. The problem with dihedral though is you waste lift.
However, low wing planes enjoy ground effect during take offs and landings. Not sure if that is good for landings, though. Landing gear is also easier with a low wing.
With a low wing plan, the opposite could happen unless the fuselage was flat enough. That is why they must give wings dihedral, so that if one wing rises, it has less lift at that angle and comes back down. The problem with dihedral though is you waste lift.
However, low wing planes enjoy ground effect during take offs and landings. Not sure if that is good for landings, though. Landing gear is also easier with a low wing.
