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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: ray copeland on August 11, 2012, 09:45:41 PM

Title: How's my rudder hangin'?
Post by: ray copeland on August 11, 2012, 09:45:41 PM

Halfway thru figuring out my next 1/2a stunter build and have a question. I am wondering if there are any advantages or disadvantages as far as flying capabilities go to having the rudder stop at the end of the stabilizer so the elevator can just be one piece, or split the elevator so the rudder can continue to the back or beyond the elevator and fasten to the bottom of the fuselage. Really just wondering if the extra work is worth the effort. Hope this question makes sense!

Title: Re: How's my rudder hangin'?
Post by: John Cralley on August 11, 2012, 10:19:46 PM

Take a look at the venerable Ringmaster and you will see an elevator hanging in the breeze!!  y1

Ringmasters have been flying since 1950 and a barn door elevator does not seem to stop them.  LL~

Title: Re: How's my rudder hangin'?
Post by: John Rist on August 12, 2012, 06:17:11 AM

I am not an aro engineer but I am guessing a big rudder and a split elevator has to do with rudder authority and structural design in a full size airplane.  Control line doesn't need this so a slab rudder may be as good as any.

 ???   ???   ???   ??? 

Title: Re: How's my rudder hangin'?
Post by: Larry Renger on August 12, 2012, 01:43:12 PM

The slab elevator should have less drag for any amount of "drive" compared to a split one.  Think of 4 sets of tip vorticies instead of just 2.

Title: Re: How's my rudder hangin'?
Post by: George on August 13, 2012, 10:48:47 AM

Or perhaps a little of both like the notch in the rudder of a Wee Duper Zilch.

George