# What is the wing span in aspect ratio's calculation?

We all know that the aspect ratio of an airplane is calculate as: $$AR=\frac{b^2}{S}$$

Where:

$$AR=$$ Aspect ratio

$$B=$$ Wingspan

$$S=$$ Wing's area

In an airplane, wing span is the distance from tip to tip of the wing. That means the fuselage also calculated. Below are two picture of two different kind of airplane: Boeing and Cessna. As you see, the wing is placed in different position. The Boeing is below of the fuselage so it look like integrated to the wings. But the Cessna is placed on top of the fuselage, make the fuselage is like the separator of the two wings rather the integrator.

But in another time, what we call wing is a thing that is attached to the fuselage. The picture below shows what the wing span is. The fuselage itself is not considered as part of wing.

To avoid miscalculation, I would like to know what is exactly b in that equation. For this case, just consider the wing shape is fully rectangle. Appreciate if with reference.

## 1 Answer

b is the width of the wing's projection on the horizontal plane, from tip to tip. The wing's vertical position on the fuselage does not influence b. This may or may not include winglets and ideally should be clarified when b is specified.

Calling one half of the wing a wing is sloppy use of language. Ideally, a wing half should be called that, and not be confused with a wing.

• Appreciated if you may elaborate more detail. To be honest, still very hard for me to get the point, especially whit this: Where the wing is relative to the fuselage does not influence b. – AirCraft Lover Dec 15 '18 at 2:37
• @AirCraftLover, whether the wing is high or low on the fuselage doesn't matter for such calculations. The wing is considered as a whole. In essence, simply by convention. If you think of it, the 'Cessna' (high) wing is even more 'integrated' than the Boeing one, given that it is the top surface that creates the most lift, so to speak. – Zeus Dec 17 '18 at 1:57
• @Zeus, do you have a reference for that "integrated calculation", please? Appreciated if you have. – AirCraft Lover Dec 17 '18 at 2:50
• @AirCraftLover, not at hand. It is a general (academic) knowledge that high wing normally has less negative (and in fact, often positive) wing/fuselage interference than other designs. Explaining why is worth a separate question. But anyway, this is not directly relevant to your question: in all cases (in aircraft design and aerodynamics) "wing span" is defined as the total span, tip to tip, including the fuselage or whatever is in between. – Zeus Dec 17 '18 at 4:58
• In calculating the area, we know that the wing and the fuselage are not flat, should I project the surface area seen from above parallel (or in line) to gravity? Or should I do separate calculus integral do find the surface area of all the airplane's parts? – AirCraft Lover Dec 17 '18 at 7:33