Wing configuration
Fixed-wing aircraft, popularly called aeroplanes, airplanes or just planes may be built with many
wing configurations. This page provides a breakdown of types, allowing a full description of any aircraft's wing configuration. For example the Spitfire wing may be classified as a
conventional low wing cantilever monoplane with straight elliptical wings of moderate aspect ratio and slight dihedral. Sometimes the distinction between types is blurred, for example the wings of many modern combat aircraft may be described either as cropped compound deltas with swept trailing edge, or as sharply tapered swept wings with large "Leading Edge Root Extension". All the configurations described have flown on full-size aircraft, except as noted. Some variants may be duplicated under more than one heading, due to their complex nature. This is particularly so for variable geometry and combined wing types.
Note on terminology: Most fixed-wing aircraft have left hand and right hand wings in a symmetrical arrangement. Strictly, such a pair of wings is called a wing plane or just plane.