wingwarping

Wing warping is a method of controlling the roll of an aircraft by twisting its wings along their longitudinal axis. By warping the wings in opposite directions, the angle of attack and lift are changed between the two wings, producing a rolling moment that steers the aircraft.

Historically, wing warping was pioneered by the Wright brothers in the early days of powered flight. In their 1903 Wright Flyer, they used a system of cables and pulleys connected to the wings to twist them oppositely as the pilot operated a control mechanism. This arrangement allowed the pilot to roll the aircraft and maintain directional control, enabling the first sustained controlled flights.

Mechanically, wing warping works by introducing differential camber and angle of attack across the wings. When one wing is warped to increase camber and lift and the other is warped in the opposite direction, a rolling moment is produced. The approach was effective but added structural complexity and weight, and it required careful coordination with other control inputs.

By the 1910s, most aircraft designers transitioned to ailerons—flat hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the wings—which offered more efficient and robust roll control with simpler construction. Wing warping gradually fell out of use in favor of these plain surfaces, though the Wrights and a few early aircraft continued experimenting with warped wings for some time.

Wing warping is now primarily of historical interest, noted for its role in the development of aircraft control systems and as a stepping stone to modern aileron-based roll control.