Question

Tapered wings are used more rather than elliptical wing planforms practically. The reason being______

(a) Easy to manufacture than elliptic wings

(b) Aspect ratio more important for low induced drag

(c) Tapered wing resembles elliptic wing highly

(d) Tapered wing is another name for elliptic wing

I had been asked this question in exam.

The query is from Prandtl’s Classical Lifting-Line Theory topic in division Flow over Airfoils over Finite Wing of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) Easy to manufacture than elliptic wings

Best explanation: In reality, tapered wings are preferred over elliptic wings because they are easier to manufacture (they have straight edges). But the resemblance to elliptic wings (variation of δ) is secondary to reduce wing induced drag compared to the aspect ratio. Here we are only asked why tapered wings used; the answer is easy to manufacture.