Editing Monoplane (section)

===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]].