Dihedral

Definition of Dihedral

Dihedral is the positive acute angle formed between the lateral axis of an airplane and a line passing through the center of its wing or horizontal stabilizer. This angle contributes significantly to the lateral stability of an aircraft.

The dihedral angle is designed to keep the wings level when a lateral disturbance occurs, such as turbulence or gusting winds. The angle creates an upward lift on the wing tips, making the aircraft roll in the opposite direction of the disturbance and stabilizing its lateral motion.

Aircraft with a higher dihedral angle have greater lateral stability, but at the cost of reduced maneuverability. Conversely, an aircraft with lower dihedral angle has better maneuverability at the expense of lateral stability.

Dihedral angle is an important design consideration for airplanes, especially those used in commercial aviation. A proper dihedral angle ensures that the aircraft is stable and safe to fly, even in challenging weather conditions.