"Ray" wrote in message
...
Okay, so all kidding aside, what are the issues between high and low
wings?
I know that in terms of flying, there are very few differences between
your
average Cessna and Piper, but for higher performance aircraft, what are
the
aerodynamic/design tradeoffs?

For example:

Why are most of the more expensive private aircraft (cirrus, pilatus,
pretty
much all multi engine and jet) low wings?

Why do all fighters since the biplane era have low wings?

They don't. The F-15 and F-14 and F-22 have high wings, for example. Even
so, they have canopies that are raised above the wing for better visibility.
The B-52 also has a high wing. High wings give greater clearance for
operating from rough fields and more room for carrying stores.


Why do most military transports (C-130, C-17, C-5) have high wings, but
all
airliners have low wings?

Not all airliners have low wings, either. But again, military aircraft may
be required to operate at times from rough or unimproved fields, carry
stores under their wings (even cargo planes can carry munitions and drones),
etc. High wings simplify air-drop missions and give better visibility for
navigators/bombardiers to see their targets on the ground. High wings also
allow more room for moving cargo and/or people around on the ramp.

I have no idea why so many airliners have low wings. They seem to me to be a
distinct disadvantage.



Why are a lot of cold weather/high altitude planes high wing?

Cold weather airplanes are expected to be used in the bush or in the arctic
operating from rough and unimproved fields. I have no idea whether it is
really true that high altitude airplanes have high wings. The Space Shuttle
is a low wing glider, for example. The SR-71 is a low wing airplane. The
Aurora is also said to be a low wing airplane.

In general, flight visibility is much better in low wing aircraft. It is
also easier to design retractable landing gear for low wing planes and the
landing gear systems are usually both stronger and more reliable. The
downside is somewhat reduced short field performance (smaller flaps), more
complicated fuel systems, and more difficult ingress/egress. Service and
fueling are generally easier on low wing airplanes.

High wing airplanes offer slightly better ground visibility than low wing
airplanes. They are better for such missions as sightseeing, aerial
photography, and parachute jumping. They can have bigger flaps, better short
and rough field capability, and simpler fuel systems. Retractable gear
systems are very complicated and fragile. It is usually easier to get in and
out of high wing aircraft.