Even if you’ve never flown in an airplane, you’re probably familiar with wings. All airplanes have wings. They are the primary lifting surfaces that, during flight, prevent airplanes from falling. Wings have different parts, however, one of the most important being the root. What are wing roots exactly, and why are they important?
Overview of Wing Roots
The wing root is the innermost part of a wing. Wings, of course, begin at the fuselage and extend out on both sides. The root is the part of a wing that’s closest to the fuselage. It essentially connects the wing to the fuselage.
Not all wing roots are the same. Some consist of simple joints where the wing meets the fuselage. Other wing roots, such as those found on commercial airliners, feature a smoother and more blended design for better aerodynamics. Regardless, all wings have a root, which is the innermost part that connects to the fuselage.
The Importance of Wing Roots
Wing roots are important because they are exposed to greater mechanical stress than other parts of an airplane’s wings. Wings generate lift — even more so than the nose and tail. All of the lift generated by an airplane’s wings must pass through the roots before reaching the fuselage. Wing roots are designed to withstand this extreme stress while maintaining the airplane’s structural integrity.
Wing roots must also support the weight of the airplane. They act as joints that, like other joints, connect two parts. Wing roots connect the base or “roots” of an airplane’s wings to the fuselage. Because of their joint-like design, they must support the weight of the fuselage itself. Large and heavy airplanes will place greater stress on the wing roots than small and lighter airplanes.
Wing roots are more than just structural joints; they typically contain essential aircraft components and systems. Many of them contain electrical wiring, for instance. Wires run through the wings and roots to the fuselage. Wing roots may also contain hydraulic and fuel lines.
Some wing roots even contain fuel tanks. Many airplanes store fuel in their wings. However, they don’t use traditional fuel tanks. Instead, mechanics design sealed sections of interior structures to function as fuel tanks. These sealed sections are often found in the wings as well as the wing roots. The wing roots work particularly well for this purpose because they are thicker than the other parts of the wing.
