How is wing loading calculated?

Wing loading is calculated by dividing the weight of the aircraft by the wing area. This measurement is significant because it provides insight into how much weight is supported by each unit of wing area, directly influencing the aircraft's performance characteristics. A higher wing loading typically results in a faster stall speed, reduced maneuverability, and possibly enhanced performance at higher speeds, but might also affect takeoff and landing distances.

In contrast, other calculations do not represent the true concept of wing loading. When wing area is divided by weight, it yields a dimensionless ratio but does not accurately reflect the relationship vital to understanding how efficiently an aircraft can generate lift relative to its weight. Similarly, calculating wing loading using total lift or by multiplying weight and wing area does not convey the essential aspect of the load distributed across the wing structure. Thus, the correct computation reflecting this relationship is the division of the aircraft's weight by its wing area.