Flapper gliders? Back to construction

From: Bruce McCrory <bruce_at_kbdmcc.net>
Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2006 20:51:13 -0000

Not to rain on the party - we're looking at a month of it here - but
Bill G. dropped an off-line surprise in my lap regarding the wings on
flapper gliders.

They follow the standard rules for 4%+/- camber. My interpolation of
CAD drawings, which I tend to have faith in for accuracy, has been on
the order of at least 6% camber. Up to now, I've been happily
building camel humps to as much as 10% camber. Just so I don't
overburden Bill with inane questions, and to clear the air that has
kept me blinded, I'll bring the next question to a larger audience.

What's with the tail dragging well below the fuse? Does this simplify
drafting? Or, does it have an aerodynamic purpose?

When I flatten my camels to a close 4% (relative chord line - base)
there is far better lift at a traditional incidence than the 15, or
so, degrees I see on plans and, feels like drag. Is there an
explanation for this which won't get too heavy into physics? [Sorry,
I keep trying, but the wall of mathematical ignorance won't fall
down.]

Thanks,
Bruce in Seattle,
Anyway, "GO....KENT!!"
Received on Fri Jan 06 2006 - 12:52:08 CET