Re: Rudder size effect on control

From: Bill Gowen <b.gowen_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:00:38 -0400

I've been told that not enough rudder area will cause a Dutch roll which is a rolling oscillation from side to side. A commercial SO design of a few years back had very small twin rudders and was prone to this problem. That's the behavior I would look out for if I were going for minimal rudder area.

A couple of very successful EZB fliers are using one upturned tip on the stab for rudder. These are sub 400mg models that fly very slowly. I also remember one at Lakehurst a few years ago that had no rudder. It seemed to fly okay but had a very small prop - I think even smaller than what Max and Jim Richmond are using.

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: and4metoo
  To: Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 8:58 PM
  Subject: [Indoor_Construction] Rudder size effect on control


  When deciding how big or small (surface area) a rudder should be,
  what behavior would you see if the rudder is too small? I guess there
  would be a point that big enough is enough and then you just gain
  weight if you continue.
  I've seen a stable flying model under power suddenly start to rock
  and not turn so well in the tail end of the cruise phase and wondered
  if it needed a larger rudder. Not more angle (drag), just more area.
  Any thoughts? thanks
  Pete..



   

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Received on Fri Sep 21 2007 - 21:00:46 CEST