Dihedral angle in aircraft design refers to the upward angle formed between the wings of an aircraft, measured as the inclination of one wing’s lateral axis relative to the other. This design feature enhances lateral stability during flight by promoting a self-righting tendency. A positive dihedral angle contributes to roll stability, aiding the aircraft in resisting banking and maintaining a level flight attitude. Conversely, a negative dihedral angle, or anhedral, can enhance maneuverability but may reduce lateral stability. The formula to calculate Dihedral Angle as follows:
where:
- is the sideslip angle in radian
- is the Side Velocity in m/s,
- is the sideslip velocity in m/s.