How much wingspan does a plane need for its own mass?

Answer 1

It is quite simple. There are exact measurements, but as you said each differently sized plane needs a different span due to its mass. Wings are much more complicated than someone may think. They have multiple flaps, each used for specific things. The most commonly known flaps are the "flaps". These are the enormous ones at the very base-rear of each wing that lower during landing to provide an immense decrease in speed. Then there are the Ailerons, located very near the tip of the wing. These control banking, and big planes have two sets. On large planes such as A380s and 747s, there are inboard and outboard Ailerons. Ailerons are combined with the rudder, on the vertical stabilizer or "fin", to create bank turns. Next come the spoilers or air brakes. These are used often, to provide slight speed decreases moslty during landing. There are usually four spoilers on each wing in a row. Finally there are the slats. These are located on the very tips of the wing and are always lowered in only takeoff and landing. They provide extra lift by expanding the length the airflow must travel under the wing and decrease the length over the wing. There are also flaps on the tailplane, which consists of two horizontal stabilizers and one vertical stabilizer. The vertical stabilizer has, as mentioned before, the rudder to control turns. The horizontal stabilizers, or "mini wings on the back of the plane", always have elevators. Not the elevators in a hotel, but flaps that control the planes ascending and descending. They are raised and lowered. In the actual wings themselves there are also heavy fuel tanks and undercarriage (landing gear or "wheels") compartments. So you see that wings can be extremely heavy. There mass must be large, but not wide. When in doubt, make them long. Do not make them too wide because that will create too much airflow over the tops of the wings and your plane won't fly at all. The best thing to do is experiment. If its a paper airplane, than try different things. Make your own flaps and see how they work. Model airplanes are cool too and usually have some flaps similar to real airplanes. I hope I answered your question. I also understand that I probably went overboard quite a lot as well. I am sorry for that, but as for me I love airplanes and the study of aerodynamics.