5 ms·

Why did we move away from high-mount wings like the B52? As a counter-example, the C17 is a bit newer and has high-mount wings, but is there a technical reason

• Zak 3y ago
  Low wings work better for commercial airliners because the structure can go through the cargo hold instead of the passenger compartment. There are some other smaller benefits like easier refueling and ability to retract the main landing gear into the wings on many aircraft.
  • pfdietz 3y ago
    Low wings work better because the bottom has to be strong anyway to take up loads from the landing gear. The wing box serves double duty there.
• kayodelycaon 3y ago
  The structure between the wings is one of strongest parts are the aircraft. With low-mounted wings, the fuselage sits on top of that structure and only needs to support its own structure. The wings are pushing the plane up. High-mounted wings, on the other hand, pull the plane up. This requires the fuselage to be stronger. Otherwise the wings would rip off the top of it.
• Phrodo_00 3y ago
  High-mounted wings require the structure holding the wing to be suspended higher in the fuselage, requiring it to be stronger. Their main advantage is to avoid obstacles in the ground, which is desirable when landing in less developed airfields, but it's not a problem airliners have.