How do planes stay in the air when their wings are so tiny? Shouldn't they have big wide wings like gliders?
Great question!

While larger wings do produce more lift, they are not without downsides.

* Larger wings produce more parasitic drag, especially at higher speeds.
* Larger wings make a plane less maneuverable.
* Larger wings make a plane heavier.
* Larger wings require more space at airports.

Very large wings are great for gliders, because they don't have to move very fast or be very maneuverable, planes however need to compromise between lift and all these other properties in order to best serve their intended purposes.
And what about small wings? How would a plane fly with small ones?
While small wings may not be as efficient at generating lift as larger ones, it's still possible for a plane to fly with them, thanks to a combination of airfoil design, speed, angle of attack, and lift-enhancing devices. Small wings can still generate enough lift for a plane to fly, provided certain conditions are met. Here's how it works:

1. Airfoil shape: The shape of the wings plays a significant role in generating lift. Even with small wings, a well-designed airfoil can produce the necessary lift for flight.
2. Speed: Lift is directly proportional to the square of the aircraft's speed. By increasing the speed, a plane with small wings can generate enough lift to counteract its weight. This is why high-speed aircraft, like fighter jets, often have smaller wings compared to slow-moving gliders.
3. Angle of attack: Increasing the angle of attack, which is the angle between the wing's chord line and the relative wind direction, can also increase the lift generated by small wings. However, there is a limit to this; when the angle of attack becomes too high, the airflow over the wing will separate, resulting in a stall.
4. Flaps and slats: Aircraft with small wings often use devices like flaps and slats to temporarily increase the wing's effective surface area during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. These devices help generate additional lift when it's needed most.