Wing Loading Charts for Model Airplanes

Figure wing area using formulas above by picking the wing shape that best matches your plane.

Wing loadings are figured by dividing the wing area of your plane by 144 to convert square inches to square feet. Then divide the weight of your airplane by your wing area in square feet. Wing area in sq. in./ 144 = wing area in sq. ft. Weight of model in ounces/wing area in sq. ft. = ounces/sq.ft.of wing loading.

The charts below provide a shortcut to figuring wing loading for those competition events that require a minimum wing loading such as those flown in SAM (Society of Antique Modelers).

To figure a minimum weight for a wing area other than those on the chart you divide wing area in square inches / 144 to get wing area in square feet. Multiply wing area in square feet by minimum weight in ounces per square feet desired which equals target minimum weight. Sq in. wing area /144 = ounces/sq ft. ; ounces/sq ft. x min ounces per sq ft desired = target minimum weight.

(example: a plane with 485 sq in of wing area and we want a target minimum wing loading of 20oz / sq ft. (485 sq.in. / 144 = 3.37sq. ft. x 20 oz. per sq.ft. = 67oz target minimum weight of airplane.)

Minimun Weights At 8 oz/sq ft
Sq. In. Of Wing Area	Weight in Oz. and lbs.
144	8 oz. / .5 lbs
288	16 oz / 1 lbs
432	24 oz / 1.5 lbs
576	32 oz / 2 lbs
720	40 oz / 2.5 lbs
864	48 oz / 3 lbs
1008	56 oz / 3.5lbs
1156	64 oz / 4 lbs
1296	72 oz / 4.5lbs
1440	80 oz / 5 lbs
1584	88 oz / 5.5 lbs
1728	96 oz / 6 lbs
1872	104 oz / 6.5 lbs
2016	112 oz / 7 lbs

Minimun Weights At 10 oz/sq ft
Sq. In. Of Wing Area	Weight in Oz. and lbs.
116	8 oz. / .5 lbs
231	16 oz / 1 lbs
346	24 oz / 1.5 lbs
462	32 oz / 2 lbs
576	40 oz / 2.5 lbs
692	48 oz / 3 lbs
807	56 oz / 3.5lbs
922	64 oz / 4 lbs
1037	72 oz / 4.5lbs
1152	80 oz / 5 lbs
1268	88 oz / 5.5 lbs
1383	96 oz / 6 lbs
1498	104 oz / 6.5 lbs
1613	112 oz / 7 lbs