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Well, for what it's worth,
I built and flew a Challenger II (tube and fabric) that had a wing loading of about 4.5 pounds per square foot. The merest light turbulence would upset the flight requiring re-leveling the wings with the rudder, it was like flying a leaf. Top speed was about 90 Kts.
I flew a Skymaster for many years with a wing loading of 22 ppsf and it took at least moderate turbulence to upset the flight. Of course, I heard "wing moan" many times in the rotten weather I would sometimes push through. Top speed was about 170 Kts
My Lancair 320 has a loading of about 25 ppsf and rides thru moderate turbulence no worse than a Corvette on a rough road. It doesn't get upset, but it is harsh sitting on the main spar. Top speed is about 200 Kts.
Small thin wings = low drag = high performance = high wing loading = more resistance to micro-shears (turbulence). Just ask any Mig 19 pilot.
Scott Krueger
N92EX
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