Aircraft Design Practice Test: Thrust-Weight Ratio and Wing Loading — Flashcards

Thrust-to-weight ratio (T/W) is a dimensionless ratio that indicates the performance of a vehicle propelled by a jet engine, propeller engine, or rocket. Wing loading (W/S) is the ratio of an aircraft's weight to its wing area. 

Thrust-to-weight ratio is calculated by dividing the thrust of an airplane by its weight. Wing loading is calculated by dividing the mass of a plane or bird by the total area of its wings' upper surface. 
Thrust-to-weight ratio is directly proportional to an aircraft's acceleration. An aircraft with a high thrust-to-weight ratio has high acceleration and excess thrust. 
Wing loading affects an aircraft's stalling speed, takeoff speed, and landing speed. Faster aircraft generally have higher wing loadings than slower aircraft to avoid excessive response to vertical gusts. However, a higher wing loading also decreases maneuverability.