Definition
Wing cross-sections shaped with a moderate amount of curvature between their upper and lower surfaces, producing a balance between lift generation at lower speeds and acceptable drag at higher speeds. They are neither flat (symmetrical) nor highly curved (high-camber), and are typical of general aviation training and utility airplanes.
Plain English
Wings with a moderate top-to-bottom curve. Not flat, not deeply curved -- a middle-ground shape that gives a good mix of lift and speed for everyday flying.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of wing design, lift, drag, stall behavior, and the general handling qualities of an airplane.
Derivation
Camber' comes from the Old French 'cambre,' meaning 'curved' or 'bent.' In airfoil terms, camber describes the curvature of the wing's shape. 'Moderately' simply means the curvature is in the middle range -- not extreme in either direction.
Why Pilots Care
These airfoils provide a practical balance of lift, drag, and stall behavior for everyday training and cross-country flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read cambered as damaged, warped, or bent out of shape. Here it means the wing was intentionally designed with a certain amount of curve.
Example Sentence 1
Most training airplanes use moderately cambered airfoils because they offer a good balance between gentle stall behavior and reasonable cruise speed.
Example Sentence 2
When comparing wing designs, moderately cambered airfoils are chosen for their forgiving stall characteristics at typical training speeds.