fixed-wing aircraft

fixed-wing aircraft
aeroplane aer"*o*plane` aeroplane a"["e]r*o*plane`, n. [a["e]ro- + plane.] (A["e]ronautics) 1. A light rigid plane used in a["e]rial navigation to oppose sudden upward or downward movement in the air, as in gliding machines; specif., such a plane slightly inclined and driven forward as a lifting device in some flying machines. Also called {airfoil}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. hence, a heavier-than-air flying machine using such a device to provide lift. In a modern aeroplane, the airfoils are called the {wings}, and most of the lift is derived from these surfaces. In contrast to helicopters, the wings are fixed to the passenger compartment (airframe) and do not move relative to the frame; thus such a machine is called a {fixed-wing aircraft}. These machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting planes (wings) used in their construction. After 1940 few planes with more than one airfoil were constructed, and these are used by hobbyists or for special purposes. Being heavier than air they depend for their levitation on motion imparted by the thrust from either propellers driven by an engine, or, in a jet plane, by the reaction from a high-velocity stream of gases expelled rearward from a jet engine. They start from the ground by a run on small wheels or runners, and are guided by a steering apparatus consisting of horizontal and vertical movable planes, which usually form part of the wings or tail. There are many varieties of form and construction, which in some cases are known by the names of their inventors. In U.S., an aeroplane is usually called an {airplane} or {plane}. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • fixed-wing aircraft — noun An aircraft in which the wings are attached to the fuselage, as opposed to eg a helicopter with rotating ‘wings or propellers • • • Main Entry: ↑fix * * * fixed wing aircraft «FIHKST WIHNG», an aircraft with wings attached to the fuselage,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fixed-wing aircraft — An airplane or glider whose wing is rigidly attached to the structure, or is otherwise adjustable. The term is used to refer to monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, and, in fact, all conventional aircraft that are neither balloons, airships,… …   Aviation dictionary

  • Fixed-wing aircraft — It is worth noting that the air industry s insurers base their calculations on the number of deaths per journey statistic while the industry itself generally uses the number of deaths per kilometre statistic in press releases. [… …   Wikipedia

  • fixed-wing aircraft — /fɪkst ˌwɪŋ ˈɛəkraft/ (say fikst .wing airkrahft) noun any aircraft which gains lift by means of fixed aerofoils …  

  • fixed-wing — ☆ fixed wing [fikst′wiŋ΄ ] adj. designating an aircraft having its wings fastened to the fuselage, as distinguished from a helicopter …   English World dictionary

  • fixed-wing — /fikst wing /, adj. of or pertaining to aircraft that derive lift from the motion of air over aerodynamically designed surfaces that are rigidly and permanently attached to the fuselage. * * * adj. [attrib.] denoting aircraft of the conventional… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fixed-wing — adj. Fixed wing is used with these nouns: ↑aircraft …   Collocations dictionary

  • fixed-wing — /fikst wing /, adj. of or pertaining to aircraft that derive lift from the motion of air over aerodynamically designed surfaces that are rigidly and permanently attached to the fuselage. * * * …   Universalium

  • fixed-wing — adjective denoting aircraft of the conventional type as opposed to those with rotating wings, such as helicopters …   English new terms dictionary

  • Wing — Wing, n. [OE. winge, wenge; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. vinge, Icel. v[ae]ngr.] [1913 Webster] 1. One of the two anterior limbs of a bird, pterodactyl, or bat. They correspond to the arms of man, and are usually modified for flight …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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