Dihedral Angle

Dihedral Angle

What is a Dihedral Angle?

The Dihedral Angle and Its Impact on Aircraft Stability

The Dihedral Angle refers to the upward angle of an aircraft's wings from the horizontal, contributing to lateral stability during flight.

The dihedral angle is the upward angle from the horizontal plane of the wings or tailplane of an aircraft.

• Stability Contribution: This angle contributes to the aircraft's lateral stability, helping it to return to level flight after a disturbance, such as a gust of wind.
• Impact on Handling: Aircraft with a greater dihedral angle generally have more roll stability but may be less manoeuvrable.
• Design Considerations: The dihedral angle is a key aspect of an aircraft’s aerodynamic design, affecting its flight characteristics.

The dihedral angle is an important design element of aircraft wings and tailplanes, contributing to stability and handling characteristics.