Editing Biplane (section)

=== Stagger ===
[[File:Fleet 16B (C-FPFF).jpg|thumb|Wing stagger on a [[Fleet Finch]] primary trainer]]
The default design for a biplane has the wings positioned directly one above the other. Moving the upper wing forward relative to the lower one is called [[Stagger (aviation)|positive stagger]] or, more often, simply stagger. It can increase lift and reduce drag by reducing the aerodynamic interference effects between the two wings by a small degree, but more often was used to improve access to the cockpit. Many biplanes have staggered wings. Common examples include the [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]], [[Bücker Bü 131|Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann]] and [[Travel Air 2000]].

Alternatively, the lower wing can instead be moved ahead of the upper wing, giving negative stagger, and similar benefits. This is usually done in a given design for structural reasons, or to improve visibility. Examples of negative stagger include the [[Sopwith Dolphin]], [[Breguet 14]] and [[Beechcraft Staggerwing]].<ref name="Sport Aviation">{{cite journal |journal=Sport Aviation |date=January 1961 |title=The Beechcraft Biplanes}}</ref><ref name="Cooksley p34">Cooksley 1991, p. 34.</ref> However, positive (forward) stagger is much more common.