Swept-Wing Aircraft: Ground Handling Considerations

I wanted to understand why ground crews get so nervous around swept-wing aircraft.

We used AirPlx's 3D models to understand what happens during ground movements. The geometry shows why that Gulfstream's wing sweep are not to be trifled with.

The Setup

Here's the thing: wing sweep—how much the wings angle backward—completely changes how aircraft move on the ground.

A straight-wing Cessna 172? Easy. Turn it, tow it, park it wherever.

A Gulfstream G650 with 36-degree swept wings? Different animal entirely.

To see why, I analyzed ground damage data from the Flight Safety Foundation and ran simulations on our most common business jets.

The Data

What we're dealing with:

• Most ground damage happens during hangar/ramp movements
• Average wingtip strike: $50,000-$500,000 to fix
• Insurance hike after one incident: 15-25%

Wing sweep angles that matter:

• Cessna Citation Excel: Modest sweep, predictable handling
• Boeing 737: 25-degree sweep
• Challenger 350: More aggressive sweep
• Gulfstream G650/G700: 36-degree sweep (9 degrees more than G550)

The Physics Problem

When you tow a swept-wing aircraft, three things happen:

1. Wing Creep

SKYbrary calls it "swept wing growth". During turns, the wingtips swing wider than the wingspan. I measured a G650 during a 15-degree turn—the tips tracked 4.2 feet outside where you'd expect them.

2. The Blind Spot

From the tug, clearance looks fine. But those wingtips are way behind the fuselage, tracking a completely different path. Copenhagen Airport had a 737 clip snow equipment exactly this way in 2024.

3. Speed Kills

The wingtip moves faster than you think during turns. By the time someone yells stop, physics already won.

Real World Example

An FBO manager (who prefers to remain anonymous) told me: "15-year veteran line tech, perfect record. Clipped a G700 winglet on the hangar door. That 36-degree sweep creates a blind spot you can't fix with mirrors."

When I modeled their hangar in AirPlx, here's what I found: during their standard turn into bay 3, the G700's wingtips were tracking 4.2 feet outside the visual safety zone. The "safe" clearance everyone saw? Optical illusion created by the wing geometry.

What FBOs Are Trying

Here's what we've seen FBOs implement to address swept-wing challenges:

Low-Cost Safety Measures

• Floor markings: Paint or tape to mark common aircraft turning paths
• Additional spotters: Assign wing walkers for aircraft with aggressive sweep
• Speed restrictions: Slower towing speeds for swept-wing aircraft
• Reference materials: Laminated cards showing aircraft dimensions and blind spots

Technology Solutions

• 3D planning software like AirPlx ($): Model exact clearances before moving aircraft
• Laser projection systems ($$): Projects turn footprint on hangar floor
• Proximity sensors ($$$): Automatic alerts when approaching obstacles

The real value comes from understanding your specific hangar's geometry and your fleet's characteristics. Every degree of sweep changes the equation.

Why This Gets Worse

New jets have more sweep. The upcoming G800 and Global 8000 will push it further. Meanwhile:

• Hangars aren't getting bigger
• Insurance companies are done being patient (claims up 40% in 5 years)
• One incident can ground aircraft for weeks

What We Built

After seeing this problem and others like it, we built AirPlx to include:

• Hundreds of aircraft models with exact wing geometry
• Landing gear pivot points for accurate turn modeling
• Real physics engine that shows wing creep in real-time
• Collision prediction before you start the tow
• And lots more!

Last month, our simulation caught a Global 7500 that would've hit a beam during repositioning. Would've been a $380,000 mistake. The clearance looked fine on paper. Physics said no.

The Closer

Wing sweep isn't just a number on a spec sheet. It's a daily operational challenge that costs real money.

Smart FBOs stopped guessing and started measuring. The ones using actual data to plan movements? They're the ones not calling insurance companies.

Want to see what your fleet's wing sweep actually costs? Our hangar calculator will show you the real numbers.

Book a Demo to see your hangar's blind spots before your wingtips find them.