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Aviation glossary

Dihedral

What is dihedral?

FAA handbook figure illustrating dihedral

Dihedral is the upward angle of the wings as they slant from the wing root (where it meets the fuselage) to the wing tip, viewed from the front or rear. This design promotes lateral (roll) stability: in a sideslip, the lower wing meets the relative wind at a greater angle of attack and generates more lift, rolling the aircraft back toward level. Think of it as the gentle "V" shape that helps the wings right themselves.

Also known as: dihedral angle

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