All of the Bonanzas have essentially the same wing. It is derived from the NACA 23000 series airfoil—specifically, a 23016.5 at the wing root and a 23012 at the tip. Both airfoils have their maximum camber located 15 percent of chord aft of the leading edge. The 23016.5 has a thickness equal to 16.5 percent of the chord, and the 23012 is thinner with a thickness of 12 percent of chord. The airfoil was developed in the mid 1930's and has been a favorite of designers ever since. It was in fact chosen for the Piper Malibu. The popularity of the airfoil derives from the fact that it has relatively high lift and low drag together with a low pitching moment coefficient.

The 23000 series airfoil also has a rather abrupt drop in lift coefficient as the stalling angle of attack is reached. The latter is used on the Piper Cherokee, an airplane noted for its gentle stall. Notice that when the stalling angle of attack is reached on the 23012 airfoil, lift falls precipitously, whereas lift drops gradually after the stall on the 652-415 airfoil. The chapter on handling qualities will have more to say on this point.

The wing incidence is four degrees at the root and one degree at the tip.


From _Flying the Beech Bonanza_