Cessna 172 Skyhawk — the most-built wing in aviationvsPiper J-3 Cub — a rectangular wing that works
root section naca2412 → usa35b · sweep parameter 1.666 → 0.000 · tip twist -3.00° → 0.00° · tip cap reach 0.200 → 0.300 · dihedral 1.73° → 1.00° · taper 0.804 → 1.000
units
These analyses are not directly comparable
- different trim loads (10791 N vs 5396 N) — each wing is carrying a different weight
The geometry comparison below is unaffected — it is a comparison of shapes, not of runs.
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk — the most-built wing in aviation
- Piper J-3 Cub — a rectangular wing that works
What changed
| Property | Cessna 172 Skyhawk | Piper J-3 Cub | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geometry | ||||
| Span | 11000 mm | 10730 mm | -270 mm | -2.5% |
| Root chord | 1630 mm | 1545 mm | -85 mm | -5.2% |
| Tip chord | 1310 mm | 1545 mm | +235 mm | +17.9% |
| Sweep parameter | 1.666 | 0.000 | -1.666 | -100.0% |
| Dihedral | 1.73° | 1.00° | -0.73° | -42.2% |
| Tip twist | -3.00° | 0.00° | +3.00° | -100.0% |
| Tip cap reach | 0.200 | 0.300 | +0.100 | +50.0% |
| Derived | ||||
| Aspect ratio | 7.350 | 6.945 | -0.405 | -5.5% |
| Area | 16463140 mm² | 16577850 mm² | +114710 mm² | +0.7% |
| Taper | 0.804 | 1.000 | +0.196 | +24.4% |
| MAC | 1504 mm | 1545 mm | +41 mm | +2.7% |
| Sections | ||||
| Root section | naca2412 | usa35b | changed | — |
| Shapedeviation at matched span fractions, 64 samples | ||||
| Chord deviation (max) | 235 mm | |||
| Chord deviation (RMS) | 115 mm | |||
| Twist deviation (max) | 3.00° | |||
| Dihedral deviation (max) | 72 mm | |||
| Tip cap deviation (max) | 206 mm | |||
Performance
CoefficientsDimensionless — how good the shape is, independent of size and speed.
ForcesNewtons and watts — what each wing actually carries and costs at this condition.
Spanwise
withheld — “Cessna 172 Skyhawk” integrates to CL 0.034 against the polar’s CL at the same α (this analysis predates the loading reporting its own) 0.344 (0.10×); “Piper J-3 Cub” integrates to CL 0.002 against the polar’s CL at the same α (this analysis predates the loading reporting its own) 0.330 (0.01×). A loading that does not integrate back to its own wing’s CL is not a coarse curve, it is a wrong one.
air, ρ = 1.225 kg/m³
data
| V (kt) | Cessna 172 Skyhawk | Piper J-3 Cub |
|---|---|---|
| 66.29 | 17.11 | 24.68 |
| 67.79 | 17.77 | 25.06 |
| 72.89 | 20.00 | 25.88 |
| 76.83 | 21.72 | 26.16 |
| 78.00 | 22.15 | 26.25 |
| 83.10 | 24.04 | 26.21 |
| 87.38 | 25.62 | 25.91 |
| 88.20 | 25.82 | 25.85 |
| 93.30 | 27.05 | 25.19 |