Wingspan facts for kids

The distance A to B is the wingspan of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320.

The wingspan of an airplane or a bird is the distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. Imagine stretching out your arms as wide as you can. Your wingspan would be the distance from the tip of one hand to the tip of the other. For airplanes, this measurement is always a straight line. It goes from one wingtip to the other. This is true no matter what shape the wing is.

Measuring Wingspan

Measuring the wingspan of an airplane is quite simple. You just measure the straight line from the very end of one wing to the very end of the other. This is done even if the wings are swept back.

Measuring Bird Wingspan

Measuring a bird's wingspan is a bit different. To do this, a bird is placed flat on its back. Its wings are gently stretched out. The measurement is then taken from the tip of the longest feather on one wing to the tip of the longest feather on the other. This gives us the bird's full wingspan.

Why Wingspan Matters

Wingspan is a very important measurement. For airplanes, it affects how much lift the plane can get. It also influences how stable the plane is in the air. A larger wingspan can mean a smoother flight. For birds, wingspan helps them fly. It affects how they glide and how fast they can fly. Different birds have different wingspans. This helps them fly in different ways. For example, a bird that glides a lot might have a very wide wingspan.

Images for kids

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  The distance A to B is the wingspan of this Boeing 777-200ER.

See also

In Spanish: Envergadura para niños