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Wing loading
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Aerodynamics/Cn6Lnl3H">aerodynamics</a>, wing loading is the total weight of an aircraft or flying animal divided by the area of its wing. The <a href="/facts/Stalling_speed/nsB7YRc5">stalling speed</a>, takeoff speed and landing speed of an aircraft are partly determined by its wing loading. </p><p>The faster an aircraft flies, the more its <a href="/facts/Lift_(force)/ehQKKaWP">lift</a> is changed by a change in angle of attack, so a smaller wing is less adversely affected by <a href="/facts/Wind_gust/oor9ccqT">vertical gusts</a>. Consequently, faster aircraft generally have higher wing loadings than slower aircraft in order to avoid excessive response to vertical gusts. </p><p>A higher wing loading also decreases maneuverability. The same constraints apply to winged biological organisms. </p>