Why are monoplanes better than biplanes?

So, why are monoplanes, you know, actually better than biplanes? It’s not just some random thing pilots say! I remember seeing this old biplane at an airshow once – gorgeous thing, all wood and wire, but it just looked… clunky. And that’s kind of the point.

The thing is, all those extra struts and wires on a biplane? They create so much drag. Think of it like trying to run through a thick forest versus running across an open field – one’s a lot easier, right? Monoplanes have this streamlined design, which means less air resistance. This lets them zip along much faster, and they hold their speed better too. I read somewhere – I think it was a Smithsonian article, maybe? – that the difference in speed can be pretty dramatic, depending on the design of course.

Now, don’t get me wrong, biplanes can create lift, absolutely. But to do so, they often need wider wings. Plus, they usually need to be going pretty fast to stay up there. Remember that time my uncle took me up in his little Cessna – a monoplane – it felt so smooth, so effortless. It just… glided. While that old biplane at the airshow? It seemed to fight the air the whole time. It was fascinating to watch, but I wouldn’t want to be piloting it. Honestly, the efficiency of a monoplane just feels way better, even if you’re just a passenger! It’s just more aerodynamically sound – less things to get in the way of the wind and all that. So yeah, for speed and efficiency, monoplanes win, in my book, anyway.