Definition
Wing or airfoil cross-sections with a pronounced curvature between the upper and lower surfaces, producing a strongly arched shape rather than a flat or shallow profile. Higher camber generates more lift at lower speeds but is more sensitive to disruptions of airflow, such as ice contamination on the leading edge.
Plain English
Wings that have a strongly curved, arched shape from front to back, instead of being relatively flat. The deeper curve helps the wing produce lift, but it also makes the wing more easily upset by ice or rough surfaces on the leading edge.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of anti-icing and deicing equipment installed on curved wing or tail leading edges.
Derivation
Camber comes from the Old French 'cambre,' meaning 'curved' or 'arched.' The same root gives us 'camber' in road design, where a road surface is built with a curve. In aerodynamics, camber describes how curved the wing's profile is — 'highly-cambered' simply means strongly curved.
Why Pilots Care
Ice accumulates differently on these curved areas and can quickly reduce lift and raise stall speed if not removed.
Grounding Statement
Picture the rounded front of a wing: if that curved area changes shape because ice builds up on it, the air no longer flows over it the way the designer intended.
Intuition Check
Highly-cambered does not mean the surface is bent, damaged, or unsafe. It means the surface was designed with a stronger curve than a flatter or more symmetrical section.
Example Sentence 1
The handbook warns that highly-cambered sections are particularly vulnerable to performance loss from leading-edge ice accumulation.
Example Sentence 2
Ice forming on highly-cambered sections of the wing reduced climb performance more than expected.