Definition
A wing design feature in which the curvature (camber) of the wing can be changed in flight, typically by extending or retracting devices such as flaps or slats, to alter lift and drag characteristics for different phases of flight.
Plain English
A wing whose curve can be changed while flying, so the pilot can get more lift for takeoff and landing, and a smoother shape for cruise.
Context Anchor
Seen in early flight history and in discussions of wing design, control, and devices that change a wing’s shape.
Derivation
‘Variable’ means ‘able to be changed.’ ‘Camber’ comes from the Latin ‘camur,’ meaning ‘curved or arched.’ In aviation, camber refers to the curvature of a wing’s upper and lower surfaces. So variable-camber simply means a wing with a curve that can be adjusted.
Why Pilots Care
A wing with one fixed shape is a compromise. Variable-camber lets the wing be efficient at slow speeds (more curve for more lift on takeoff and landing) and at high speeds (less curve for less drag in cruise). This is why flaps exist on almost every airplane.
Grounding Statement
Picture a wing whose curve can become flatter or more arched depending on what the aircraft needs.
Intuition Check
Variable-camber does not mean the whole wing randomly changes size or position. It means the wing’s curved shape can be deliberately changed.
Example Sentence 1
The Wright brothers experimented with variable-camber wings to improve lift during their early glider tests.
Example Sentence 2
Early designers used wing warping to create a variable-camber effect that helped the aircraft roll without relying on separate ailerons.