Editing Monoplane (section)

=={{Vanchor|Wing position|Types}}==<!-- Other articles link here. -->
Besides the general variations in [[wing configuration]] such as tail position and use of bracing, the main distinction between types of monoplane is where the wing is mounted vertically on the [[fuselage]].

===Low===
[[File:Curtiss P-40E Warhawk 2 USAF.jpg|thumb|Low wing on a [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Curtiss P-40]]]]
A '''low wing''' is one which is located on or near the bottom of the fuselage.

Placing the wing low allows good visibility upwards and frees the central fuselage from the wing spar carry-through. By reducing pendulum stability, it makes the aircraft more maneuverable, as on the [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]]; but aircraft that value stability over maneuverability may then need some [[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]].

A feature of the low-wing position is its significant [[ground effect (aerodynamics)|ground effect]], giving the plane a tendency to float farther before landing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviation-history.com/theory/ground_effect.htm|title=Ground Effect in Aircraft|publisher=Aviation-history.com|date=2009-11-30|access-date=2012-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/news/airman/185905-1.html|title=Ground Effect |publisher=Avweb.com|date=2003-10-22|access-date=2012-07-19}}</ref> Conversely, this ground effect permits shorter takeoffs.

===Mid===
A '''mid wing''' is mounted midway up the fuselage. The carry-through spar structure can reduce the useful fuselage volume near its centre of gravity, where space is often in most demand.

===Shoulder===
[[File:ARV Midwest.pdf|thumb|right|Shoulder wing on an [[ARV Super2]], showing good pilot visibility]]
A '''shoulder wing''' (a category between high-wing and mid-wing) is a configuration whereby the wing is mounted near the top of the fuselage but not on the very top.. Shoulder-wings and high-wings share some characteristics, namely: they support a pendulous fuselage which requires no wing dihedral for stability; and, by comparison with a low-wing, a shoulder-wing's limited [[Ground effect (aerodynamics)|ground effect]] reduces float on landing. Compared to a low-wing, shoulder-wing and high-wing configurations give increased propeller clearance on multi-engined aircraft.<ref name="Kundu2010">{{cite book|author=Ajoy Kumar Kundu|title=Aircraft Design|url=https://archive.org/details/aircraftdesignca00kund|url-access=limited|date=12 April 2010|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-48745-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/aircraftdesignca00kund/page/n121 78]}}</ref>
On a large aircraft, there is little practical difference between a shoulder wing and a high wing; but on a light aircraft, the configuration is significant because it offers superior visibility to the pilot. On light aircraft, shoulder-wings tend to be mounted further aft than a high wing, and so may need to be [[Forward-swept wing|swept forward]] to maintain correct [[center of gravity]].<ref>''Pilot'' magazine February 1986 page 32</ref> Examples of light aircraft with shoulder wings include the [[ARV Super2]], the [[Malmö MFI-9|Bölkow Junior]], [[Saab Safari]] and the [[Barber Snark]].

==={{vanchor|High|High wing}}===
A '''high wing''' has its upper surface on or above the top of the fuselage. It shares many advantages and disadvantages with the shoulder wing, but on a light aircraft, the high wing has poorer upwards visibility. On light aircraft such as the [[Cessna 152]], the wing is usually located above the cabin, so that the wing spar passes over the occupants' heads, leaving the wing in the ideal fore-aft position.<ref>Trevor Thom – The Aeroplane (Technical) – 1997 page 65</ref>
An advantage of the high-wing configuration is that the fuselage is closer to the ground which eases cargo loading, especially for aircraft with a rear-fuselage cargo door. Military cargo aircraft are predominantly high-wing designs with a rear cargo door.<ref name="Kundu2010" />

===Parasol{{anchor|Parasol_wing}}===
[[File:PietenpolAirCamperGN1.JPG|thumb|right|Parasol wing on a [[Pietenpol Air Camper]]]]
A '''parasol wing''' is not directly attached to the fuselage but held above it, supported by either [[Bracing (aeronautics)#Cabane struts|cabane struts]] or a pylon.<ref name="Crane">Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 379. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. {{ISBN|1-56027-287-2}}</ref> Additional bracing may be provided by struts or wires extending from the fuselage sides.{{citation needed|date= March 2020}}

The first parasol monoplanes were adaptations of shoulder wing monoplanes, since raising a shoulder mounted wing above the fuselage greatly improved visibility downwards, which was useful for reconnaissance roles, as with the widely used [[Morane-Saulnier L]].<ref name=Davilla315>Davilla, 1997, pp.60 & 315</ref>
The parasol wing allows for an efficient design with good pilot visibility, and was adopted for some [[fighter aircraft|fighters]] such as the [[Fokker D.VIII]] and [[Morane-Saulnier AI]] in the later part of the First World War.<ref>Angelucci and Matricardi, pp. 151, 290-1.</ref>

A parasol wing also provides a high mounting point for engines and during the interwar period was popular on flying boats, which need to lift the propellers clear of spray. Examples include the [[Martin M-130]], [[Dornier Do 18]] and the [[Consolidated PBY Catalina]].

Compared to a [[biplane]], a parasol wing has less bracing and lower drag. It remains a popular configuration for [[amphibian aircraft|amphibians]] and small [[homebuilt aircraft|homebuilt]] and [[ultralight aircraft]].