halfwing

Halfwing refers to a wing on an aircraft that is only partially developed or extended. This can occur for several reasons. In some experimental aircraft designs, halfwings are intentionally used to study aerodynamic principles or to achieve specific flight characteristics. These might be fixed structures or deployable elements that extend during flight.

Another context for halfwing is in the event of a structural failure or damage. If one wing of a conventional aircraft sustains significant damage, it might be described as a halfwing situation. This is a critical emergency and would require immediate action from the pilot. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe something incomplete or partially functional, though its primary meaning is aeronautical.

Historically, the concept of halfwings has been explored in early aviation and in more modern concepts for variable geometry wings. The goal is often to optimize performance across a range of speeds, with a more swept or reduced wing area at high speeds and a less swept or larger wing area at lower speeds. The term highlights the asymmetry or incompleteness of a wing structure, whether by design or by accident.