Variable-incidence wing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A variable-incidence wing has an adjustable angle of incidence in order to reduce landing and take-off distances.

The necessary components add extra weight to the aircraft and increase maintenance costs. In some aircraft the benefits outweigh the costs, and variable-incidence functionality is incorporated into the design, most notably with the F-8 Crusader, although other designs have used it, such as the Martin XB-51.

No modern aircraft has used this design since the F-8, and it was omitted from the derivative, subsonic A-7 Corsair II due to lower landing speeds and weights.