| ly half the people out there have no idea what a | | | | bi-plane rides. |
| biplane is. They may have seen them before, but | | | | The big disadvantage of the biplane? The two wings |
| never knew what they were called. At some point, | | | | technically interfered with one another |
| you owe it to yourself to take a biplane ride. | | | | aerodynamically, each reducing the lift produced by |
| So what is a "biplane"? It is a fixed-wing aircraft that | | | | the other. What does this mean? For a given wing |
| has two major wings of similar spans. They are | | | | area, the biplane produced more drag and less lift |
| normally mounted one above each other. Typically, | | | | than a monoplane. Once this was realized, the biplane |
| the upper wing will overlap the lower wing, and | | | | suffered a quick demise. As thicker wing sections and |
| vertical struts are often positioned symmetrically on | | | | improved structural materials were introduced, it |
| either side of the fuselage. It's known as a stagger if | | | | removed the need for external bracing. As a result, |
| the upper and lower wing overlap just a bit. | | | | monoplanes became the defacto standard around |
| Essentially, this minimizes aerodynamic interference | | | | the world. Modern biplane designs now exist only for |
| between the two wings. If the upper wing is further | | | | aerobatics, agricultural aircraft and for specialty tours |
| forward, this is known as Forward stagger, which is | | | | and biplane rides. |
| the most common set up for all biplanes. Most | | | | If you are familiar with any of the famous bi-plane |
| biplanes also have a tailplane or third horizontal | | | | models, you'll probably remember the Stearman. This |
| surface to control the pitch, or angle of attack of | | | | plane is particularly associated with stunt flying with |
| the aircraft. | | | | wing-walkers. Famous sesquiplanes include the |
| Of course, anyone that has watched old war movies | | | | Nieuport 17 and Albatros D.III. Most biplane designs |
| can attest that Biplanes were used the most in the | | | | have been fitted with reciprocating engines which |
| early days of aviation when the wing sections used | | | | have lower power. Exceptions to this include the |
| were very thin. Because of this, the wing structure | | | | Antonov An-3 and WSK-Mielec M-15 Belphegor, which |
| needed to be strengthened by external bracing wires. | | | | are fitted with turboprop engines. Some older biplane |
| The design helped to increase the structural strength | | | | designs, such as the Grumman Ag Cat and the An-2 |
| by allowing the two wings to be braced against one | | | | are available in upgraded versions with turboprop |
| another. | | | | engines. |
| The compact layout and shorter wing span also gave | | | | If you're going to go for a biplane ride, be prepared |
| the plane its other big advantage: greater | | | | to have some fun! You'll be magically transported into |
| maneuverability, which is great for all types of | | | | the past when you jump a board. |