MAC stands for which aerodynamic measurement?

• A. Maximum Aerodynamic Chord
• B. Mean Aerodynamic Chord
• C. Mean Airflow Coefficient
• D. Mean Actual Chord

Answer: (B)

MAC stands for Mean Aerodynamic Chord. It’s the chord length of an equivalent rectangle that would produce the same aerodynamic effect as the actual wing’s shape, making it a convenient reference for comparing wing geometry and locating the CG relative to the wing. For a tapered wing, the MAC is found by considering how the chord changes along the span (often using an integral that accounts for c(y) across the wing). The other options don’t fit standard terminology: Maximum Aerodynamic Chord would imply the largest chord, not a representative mean length; Mean Airflow Coefficient isn’t a chord measurement; Mean Actual Chord isn’t a recognized term in this context.