Airplanes are often classified according to their wing configuration. There are monoplanes and biplanes, for example. Monoplanes and biplanes feature different wing configurations. As a result, they not only look different; monoplanes and biplanes have different flight dynamics.
What Is a Monoplane?
A monoplane is a type of fixed-wing aircraft with a single wing or “mainplane.” Most commercial airliners feature this wing configuration. They have a single wing that extends horizontally through the fuselage.
What Is a Biplane?
A biplane is a type of fixed-wing aircraft with two wings, one of which is stacked over the other wing. The wings are typically connected via some type of supporting structure, such as struts. And while their design may vary, the two wings typically are typically the same size.
Differences Between Monoplanes and Biplanes
Monoplanes and biplanes differ in the number of wings they have. Monoplanes have a single wing, whereas biplanes have two wings.
Monoplanes produce less drag than biplanes. Biplanes have a stacked wing configuration, resulting in more drag-producing surface area. Monoplanes only have a single wing, so they produce less drag.
In addition to producing less drag, monoplanes are more efficient than biplanes. This is one of the reasons why so many commercial airplanes use this wing configuration. Monoplanes can fly longer distances when compared to biplanes on the same amount of fuel.
Biplanes were actually invented before monoplanes. The Wright Brothers’ famous Wright Flyer was the world’s first powered airplane. Originally invented in 1903, it featured a biplane wing configuration. Monoplanes weren’t invented until several years later with the release of the Santos-Dumont Demoiselle.
Biplanes offer some advantages over monoplanes, such as lift. The dual-wing structure provides increased lift. Biplanes can achieve shorter takeoff and landing distances thanks to their increased lift. Biplanes are also more maneuverable than monoplanes.
Biplanes typically weigh less than monoplanes. They have two wings, compared to the single wing of a monoplane, but biplanes don’t require external bracing. Most biplanes use supporting structures like struts to connect their wings. In comparison, some of the first monoplanes to be released used external bracing, resulting in a heavier weight.
In Conclusion
Most airplanes use one of two wing configurations: monoplane or biplane. Monoplane is a wing configuration that’s characterized by a single wing. Biplane is a wing configuration that’s characterized by a stacked wing configuration in which one wing is placed on top of the other wing.
