Are high vs low wing preferences generic or colored by specific designs?

[Jim Logajan]

(Feel free to vote in the obligatory preference poll above.)

Ignoring mid-wing and multi-plane designs, I think preferences are more often colored by other airplane design choices, not the proverbial high vs low wing. There are a ton of sites that explain the pros and cons and differences, as noted below. But in my admittedly limited experience it is other design choices that really matter. It never seems to be that you can select "all else being equal" because so few design choices are equal.

For example, the first "high wing" aircraft I flew in was an SGS 2-33 glider. But because the wing is behind the pilot, all-around visibility is excellent (tandem seating helps too - and so few distracting instruments!) When I transitioned from Cessna 152/172s to Piper Warriors, it was the missing left door and different feel of rudder steering that left a negative impression. Visibility in the Cessnas and Pipers I flew felt downright claustrophobic compared to glider - didn't matter where the main wing was attached.

A web search of "high wing vs low wing" yields a lot of pages that compare the two places to mount the main wing, so no point in discussing them in detail here. Here are just a few of the top sites:

https://airplaneacademy.com/high-wing-vs-low-wing-aircraft-pros-cons-and-key-differences/
https://simpleflying.com/high-wing-vs-low-wing-aircraft/
https://www.pilotmall.com/blogs/news/high-wing-vs-low-wing-what-s-the-difference-between-them
https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/mysteries-of-flight-high-wing-versus-low-wing/
https://airfactsjournal.com/2020/09/high-wing-or-low-wing-ask-mother-nature/

 

[Bob Noel]

It really depends... sorry. I know that violates the intention of the poll.

In general, I prefer low wing. But I would absolutely go for high wing for landing in the bush or for float planes...

 

[Rush]

Depends. Single engine or twin?

 

[Jim Logajan]

Depends. Single engine or twin?

Single engine.

 

[tawood]

Although I agree with @Bob Noel that "it depends", under most situations I prefer a low wing. Perhaps its a learned bias on my part, but I've always felt that high-wings represent smaller aircraft, while low wings tend to be more prevalent in larger aircraft. I like to satisfy a fantasy that I'm flying a bigger plane, so a low wing is my preference.

 

[MuseChaser]

Did the first 14 hours of my training back in 2004 in a 152, then another 15 in a 172, but have flown a PA28-140 Piper ever since. Enjoyed them all, and have no clear preference. I tend to enjoy the positives of each design, rather than dwell on the drawbacks. I still can't decide what my next plane will likely be.

 

[TexasTailwheel]

This is like wishing all the world was all boys or all girls...

 

[Jim Logajan]

This is like wishing all the world was all boys or all girls...

The C-152 I flew identified as a low wing airplane.

 

[Rush]

Although I agree with @Bob Noel that "it depends", under most situations I prefer a low wing. Perhaps its a learned bias on my part, but I've always felt that high-wings represent smaller aircraft, while low wings tend to be more prevalent in larger aircraft. I like to satisfy a fantasy that I'm flying a bigger plane, so a low wing is my preference.

Being female, I’m not concerned with the size of my equipment. So for single engine I prefer high wing but like you it might be learned bias.