How is "wing thickness" defined?

Question

In the answers to this question about wing thickness, there were many references to wing thickness as a percentage (ranging from 6.5% to 13.5%).

What is that a percentage of?

score 9 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 19 '15 at 12:34

9

The wing thickness is basically the distance between the upper and lower surface of the wing (or airfoil).

`

Source: NASA.

The wing thickness is usually given as a percentage of the wing (or airfoil) chord(the distance between the leading and trailing edge). This is to make it a non-dimensional quantity for ease of comparison across different scales.

answered Aug 19 '15 at 12:34

aeroalias

100,255
5
278
429

The picture really helps with understanding. Thanks. – FreeMan Aug 20 '15 at 16:12

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 19 '15 at 12:30

6

From the image in the answer you link to:

thickness in percent of chord

and the chord (length) is the distance between leading edge and trailing edge of the airfoil of the wing.

answered Aug 19 '15 at 12:30

Federico

32,559
17
136
184

How is "wing thickness" defined?

2 Answers2