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Answers

  1. What happens to lift when the surface area of an airplane's wings is increased? Increases
  2. Open the Web page AirPage Index (http://www.pilotportal.com/airpage/) and look up the Boeing 747-100B. What is its wing area? 511 m2
  3. Refer to the above question. What is the Boeing 747's takeoff weight? 322 050 kg
  4. How many passengers can the Boeing 747 carry? 452
  5. What is the ratio of the Boeing 747's takeoff weight to its wing area? 630 kg/m2
  6. Now use the AirPage Index (http://www.pilotportal.com/airpage/) to find the Boeing 777-200. What is its wing area? 377.7 m2
  7. What is the takeoff weight of the Boeing 777? 229 480 kg
  8. How many passengers can the Boeing 777 carry? 375
  9. What is the ratio of the Boeing 777's takeoff weight to its wing area? 607 kg/m2
  10. Look up the DC-8-50 in the AirPage Index (http://www.pilotportal.com/airpage/). What is its wing area? 267.9 m2
  11. What is the DC-8's takeoff weight? 147 417 kg
  12. How many passengers can the DC-8 carry? 159
  13. What is the ratio of the DC-8's takeoff weight to its wing area? 550 kg/m2
  14. Find the DC-10-10 in the AirPage Index (http://www.pilotportal.com/airpage/). What is its wing area? 329.8 m2
  15. What is the DC-10's takeoff weight? 199 580 kg
  16. How many passengers can the DC-10 carry? 380
  17. What is the ratio of the DC-10's takeoff weight to its wing area? 605 kg/m2
  18. If both the Boeing 777 and the DC-10 weighed 130,000 kg, which airplane's wings would generate the most lift? 777
  19. Which of the two planes in the previous question has a greater possible takeoff weight? 777
  20. Which two of the four jet airplanes above have the closest takeoff weight to wing area ratios? 777 and DC10
  21. Explain the relationships among lift, takeoff weight, and wing area. You may want to read the slide called Forces on an Airplane. Lift increases with wing area, and lift must exceed weight for takeoff.
  22. Do you see a relationship between wing span and passenger number? As wing area increases, passenger number increases.
  23. Where are slats located and how do they affect an airplane's lift? Front of wings; answers will vary.
  24. Where are the flaps located? Back of wing near fuselage; answers will vary.

Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov