Definition
A wing planform that narrows to a single point at each wingtip rather than ending in a rounded, squared, or tapered tip with finite chord. Because the chord at the tip approaches zero, the local lift at the tip also approaches zero, which concentrates the strongest wingtip vortex and the highest induced drag closer to the wingtip than on most other planforms.
Plain English
A wing shape that comes to a sharp point at the end, like the tip of a knife. Because the very tip produces almost no lift, the swirling air that normally forms at the wingtip is pulled in tight and strong right at that point.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of wing planform, where different wing shapes are compared for how they affect airflow and handling.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces induced drag and improves efficiency in certain designs but can alter stall progression and structural loads.
Intuition Check
A pointed tip wing does not mean the wing has a dangerous sharp spike. It means the wing’s top-down outline tapers to a narrow or pointed end.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor explained that a pointed tip wing produces almost no lift at the very tip, which changes where the strongest vortex forms.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight the instructor pointed out how the pointed tip wing changed the vortex pattern at the tips.