Which Airplanes Are BETTER....High Wing Or Low Wing??? | The 6 Big Differences

[@marksill8020]

If you're flying into a soft field for staying overnight, camping it sometimes easier in a high wing. You can throw a tarp over your wings, and there you are. Enough room to stand up and put your clothes on.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Very good points! I haven’t camped with my low wing yet, but I plan to give it a try this year!

[@scottnix4991]

My 2 main reasons for preferring high wing: #1: Ease of egress in case of a nose over. #2: I never saw a low wing bird.

[@MyTimeToFly]

The ingress and egress are my biggest reasons for liking a high wing. But being in Michigan, one of our best options to ditch is in water, the retract low wing has the advantage there!

[@declandickson2839]

I just like the overall look of a low wing.. they remind me of the old WWII fighters like a p51 or a bf 109

[@MyTimeToFly]

I was a high wing guy from the start, until I flew a low wing for the first time. I like them both now, but do prefer my low wing Mooney!

[@jeromes5141]

I flew in a M20J yesterday to look at a M20C. While I was trying to remember if the the cockpit was that small, my attention soon changed to the wing and that outside view. It's a joy seeing the wing and its movements from the top. It was my second time in a low wing airplane and really do prefer it over the high wing which all my time have been logged in. Climbing up into on the wing then down into the cockpit is a hassle. Especially the M20C that was a lot tighter and smaller than the J.

[@MyTimeToFly]

This sounds about right. Was the “C” what you’ve been looking for? A “J” is nice, but sure gets expensive!

[@jeromes5141]

@@MyTimeToFly C or E model.

[@MyTimeToFly]

I haven’t flown an E, but would love the extra 20hp. I know it’s just greedy, we already have plenty of speed in the C!

[@jeromes5141]

@@MyTimeToFly think the C is 10 inches wider too. Extra room space is always welcome.

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

Don’t forget banging your head on the trailing edge of the wing on the high wing airplane. I bet I did that 20 times! My father had 2 Cessnas. Loved them! I worked for an FBO in my younger years and washed many airplanes. Hated them all! Flying, loved them all!

[@MyTimeToFly]

This is true, wings can get quite dangerous to your cranium!

[@adamcorby804]

Just started flying an Archer after many many years flying 172’s. To be honest I absolutely love the Archer. That’s what’s great about aviation, to each is own :-)

[@MyTimeToFly]

This is so true! I’m thankful for every plane I’ve flown, and enjoyed each in their own way!

[@adamcorby804]

My Time To Fly never been in a Mooney. If you ever get to F70 (French Valley) in SoCal I’d love to split some time! I know you are in Michigan but you never know 😎

[@MyTimeToFly]

For sure Adam, I will definitely let the community know if I’m headed to CA as I do hope to someday. If you ever hear I am, just hit me up!

[@adamcorby804]

My Time To Fly I learned to fly and instructed out of KYIP in Michigan. Great area to fly in!

[@MyTimeToFly]

For sure! I’m on the west side of the state, but did fly into KYIP once.

[@TheBarzook]

I'm not sure if it was mentioned, but my CFI had told me that low wing kind of force people to go around the wings and it makes it less risky for them to be close to the prop during start -up and less need to check over pour shoulder to make sure nobody is heading our way (from the black of the airplane)

[@MyTimeToFly]

That is a good point, I hadn’t thought of that.

[@theflyingcrewchief]

Love the cessna with the tiger hawk on it in the background.

[@MyTimeToFly]

My neighbor in the hangar. I'm glad to have him too, especially since he has a switchbox I get to plug in to.

[@ricardovasconez9108]

Low wing more ground effect. High wing cg below center of lift, gives pendulum effect. More stable. Low wing more maneurable.

[@MyTimeToFly]

I agree overall, but when the speeds are correct, I find very little ground effect in my Mooney.

[@VernonWallace]

Great subject. Well done

[@MyTimeToFly]

Thank you kindly Vernon

[@alancampbell1161]

Very valid comparison. A comment about a generic difference in flight handling. Look at how the low wing aircraft generally have a fair bit of dihedral, while most high wings don't have so much. One of the reasons for this is that the high wing achieves more of its lateral stability from its pendulum stability i.e. much of the weight is below the wing. The low wing achieves more via the dihedral, whereby if is momentarily banked, say, to the right, then the right wing will generate a bit more lift to restore it. In generating this lift, it also generates a little more drag, which will yaw the aircraft slightly towards the wing being lifted. Remember that this will also happen each time you restore 'wings level' with aileron, and is why you should always use a little rudder as well - so many don't. When next flying your low wing in light turbulence, watch one wingtip as you bump along. You will clearly see it appear to move back and forth. You should be able to see the effect by looking over the nose, but the angle is fairly small and you will possibly not even notice it. A little pedantic perhaps, but it can be an issue for passengers when flying longer aircraft, and those in the rearmost seats can get a little queasy.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Thanks Alan! This is certainly a profound thought. One which I haven’t had prior. I will perform the test you outlined.

[@amirhosseinravaei2513]

Thank for your useful video .

[@MyTimeToFly]

My pleasure

[@dchaplin69]

Before you give visibility to the low wing, Fly a Cessna 177 Cardinal or preferably the Cardinal RG, You sit in front of the wing, No Struts, A-Pillars are further back. Besides the fact that it is probably the funniest to fly Cessna's it has the best visibility. Also a new high wing coming out is the Sling TSI High Wing, it looks like it will have pretty similar visibility

[@MyTimeToFly]

Yes, high wings without struts can be a game changer!

[@laprepper]

I'm learning on a Piper Cherokee and so far number one and number two are definitely true, at 6'3 trying to crab walk into the student seat on the left from the right hand door is definitely awkward 🤣 it's been 90 during the day here in SoCal so I'm going up at 9:00 in the morning with my instructor so it doesn't get too hot

[@MyTimeToFly]

Getting in and out can certainly be a struggle, especially after a long cross country with a full bladder!

[@LOADINGPICTURES]

I have to say that I prefer high wing airplanes. They are easier to get in and out. If they flip over during an emergency landing, you have more material on top to protect you. If they flip over in the water, the wings will be underneath you and egress should be easier. On an emergency landing you have more clearance between the ground and the top wing if there are any obstacles around the landing area. Usually shorter landing distances, which is good for emergency landings. Lastly, I enjoy the view from a high wing airplane.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Lots of good points, my biggest wish is having 2 doors again. Most low wings don’t.

[@charlesdelone6861]

160 hours in low wing, 180 hours in high wing. Much prefer low wing. I AM 24, so getting in is never a problem. If I can’t land without looking at my wheels, I shouldn’t fly that plane. I really think low wing planes land smoother than high wings and they are almost always a bit quicker. I would rather look up at the sky than down at the ground.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Good summary Charles. I am 34, and most days getting in and out is pretty easy. But I can see how it could become more difficult!

[@laprepper]

The plane I'm training on has fixed gear and it's definitely a good feeling to know that it's always deployed.

[@MyTimeToFly]

I guess I’ve never been too concerned in my retract. Although I have two things going for me: 1. It’s a manual gear (Johnson Bar) so I’m pretty certain when it’s locked in...the gear is down. 2. I can feel the gear slow me down. That’s always a good feeling and indication the wheels are hanging below me.

[@charlesdelone6861]

When I was getting my complex, I had two true gear failures-to-deploy. But I think as long as you don’t fly a 10,000hr Aero that shouldn’t be an issue.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Good point there!

[@budbuddybuddest]

I don't understand how visibility can be better with low wing. I like to sight see, so high wing makes sense. 2. Are lower wings stronger in hard turns, dives?

[@MyTimeToFly]

Visibility in the pattern is significantly better, you can spot other airplanes quite a bit better as you can see horizontally and toward the sky. The only visibility that lacks is toward the ground in my opinion.

[@scottmiller4711]

I have flown both but prefer high wing as I fly for personal enjoyment and like to look down on the world. My personal plane has a clear Lexan roof and clear bubble doors so my total visibility is better than most airplanes in general. As an aside I read a while ago that high wings were more natural as they are like birds whose wings are also on top of their bodies. 😉

[@MyTimeToFly]

That point about the bird is an interesting one for sure. It also sounds like your personal plane would be an awesome camera ship! Thanks for sharing!

[@scottmiller4711]

My Time To Fly I am working on installing a camera, just haven’t decided what brand yet.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Just my opinion, can’t go wrong with a GoPro for video, and a Nikon for still shots. But I’m just a novice!

[@23aviatorguy]

I've had to clean the bottom of a few Mooney's, it was not the funnest plane I've cleaned lol

[@MyTimeToFly]

Especially without the 1 piece belly (which mine does not have). Lots of places for oil to stick!

[@zappatx]

Low wings between models there are a vast number of wing designs. Just look at the performance of the Bellanca's and Grumman Tiger.

[@MyTimeToFly]

I certainly agree there are a variety of designs. Doesn't it seem that low wings typically have higher cruise speeds compared to high wings though?

[@richardbabin4393]

Just a note on accessibility. My mother has rheumatoid arthritis and the only aircraft she can get in are low wing. Generally high wing aircraft, for propeller clearance purposes, tend to have more ground clearance which also means a bigger first step vertical with a much smaller foothold.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Good point, if I have my step down the Mooney can be fairly simple to get in and out of.

[@rijschoolrijzo]

That i would like to know about the fly characteristics:))

[@MyTimeToFly]

I agree, I just don’t have the experience on each plane to comment too much on it.

[@scubadiversworld7337]

The piper is heavier and has less wing, it is also faster.

[@MyTimeToFly]

True, I hope this wasn't seen as Piper vs. Cessna. I was only trying to compare general characteristics of high vs. low.

[@mwb7121]

Good overview. I tend to lean towards high wing (150s and 172s) for ease of entry for passengers and better sightseeing below, and I’m more comfortable flying into short grass fields. Having said that, I enjoyed moving up to an Archer, and managing a low wing in ground effect was easier than I’d expected. And I’ve absolutely loved my more recent flights in an RV7a. Then there are the exceptions to each of those points you mentioned; like the great overhead visibility of a Cardinal, the downward visibility of the RV12, etc. So many cool planes out there.

[@MyTimeToFly]

There are definitely tons of great options! We are definitely lucky to have so many!

[@barrystarke6325]

@@MyTimeToFly I think you missed a very important issue between high vs. low wing planes. I personally will always prefer a low wing plane because I do not like turning into an area you cannot see because of the high wing --like turning on base, turning on final or turning period. Frankly, this is why I will always prefer a low wing plane. Not to mention I think they are easier to land.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Thanks Barry, this is a good point. If everybody is at the same altitude, you have a better chance of seeing other aircraft in a low wing.

[@roryfiler214]

@@barrystarke6325 The Cardinal! The windscreen is swept back and the wing is further back, so pilots can lean forward and look out the side of the windscreen to easily see where they are turning, or what they are flying past.

[@MyTimeToFly]

The cardinal is certainly unique, and I do like it! However I can’t say it’s the best of both worlds. Seems like more of an optimized high wing?

[@nick1648]

Is there any difference in how it feels when flying one verse the other? Flying characteristics?

[@MyTimeToFly]

I can't say that high wing vs. low wings makes the difference. There are other characteristics that are more important. Below are a couple that stand out to me: 1.Wing shape 2. Amount of dihedral 3. Flight control system (cable pulley vs. push / pull tubes)

[@mikyl-fo8rh]

I never liked the struts that support the wings on a high wing; otherwise, I prefer the highwing.

[@psteen67]

Low wings are preferred by pilots and high wings are preferred by passengers.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Very true in my case!

[@quidestnunc9238]

Very, very Accurate.

[@quidestnunc9238]

I have most of my time in the Cherokee 180 (with the Hershey Almond Bar wing) followed distantly by time in the Cessna 150 Aerobat, Cessna 150 Commuter and 172 whose panel I could barely see over despite being 5' 10" (And being mostly all Torso...with a 28" inseam). Here are the Flight Advantages of All (Tractor and Pusher) low-wing planes over High-Wing tractor aircraft (pushers such as the Sky Arrow, Thunder Gull and Titan Tornado, among other pushers, Do Have good in-turn visibility): 1) Excellent visibility during Turns (no High-Wing tractor plane "peek-a-boo"): 2) low wing planes can actually Use Ground Effect; 3) overall Visibility side-to-side is superior; 4) having the wings below the plane's hull/fuselage is reassuring for both the pilot and passengers (there have been studies on this); 5) wheelbase distance between the Mains is far greater on, for example, a fixed gear Cherokee versus a fixed gear Cessna, making for better stability when taking off and landing; 6) low-wing planes are Far Less Affected by crosswinds which tend to upset a High-Wing plane [Bob Hoover was a true Master of the High-Wing Aero Commander...you and I ? Not so much] 7) low wing planes have a much, much lower C of G...in fact, High Wing planes are Top Heavy as one result of the high wing containing the fuel; 8) Tricycle Gear versus Tail-Dragger (i.e., Conventional) Gear, which is found on far more high-wing planes, is an entirely separate conversation. Having said all of this, allow me to State that my next, wholly-owned plane looks to be a High-Wing, Tail-Dragger such as a Just Highlander or a Shock Cub !!!

[@MyTimeToFly]

Great points, and too funny that your next plane will be a high wing taildragger.

[@ulephone1918]

High wing aircraft is are design to carry heavy loads. Low wing Aircraft are designed for SPEED. This is the basic engineering specs.

[@MyTimeToFly]

Seems to follow the pattern of planes I’ve considered