Aircraft wings are essential components that help planes fly. They are designed to create lift, which is the upward force that allows an aircraft to rise into the air. The shape of the wings, known as the airfoil, is crucial because it affects how air moves over and under them. When the plane moves forward, air flows faster over the top of the wing and slower underneath, creating lift.
Wings also play a role in stability and control during flight. They can be equipped with flaps and ailerons, which are movable parts that help the pilot manage the aircraft's speed and direction. Understanding how aircraft wings work is key to the science of aerodynamics and the design of airplanes.