Neil's T-Tail

From: soslipstream <parkreation_at_msn.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:19:48 -0000

Supporting a stabilizer on a T-Tail requires a strong Fin arrangement.
Would V-bracing apply to add some strength and minimize some of the
weight on the fin outline?

I once built a Bostonian with a T-Tail that was more competitive than
I anticipated. On Tri-Gear, it had a long roll out and then an snap
transition to an un-holy high angle of attack. It maintained this
attitude throughout the flight which remained stable. It also
recovered quickly from ceiling hits.

Is this an aerodynamic function or possibly an aft CG? A colleague
owned a Piper with a T-Tail and always claimed that the higher forward
speed was needed for the stab to become effective.

I assume with the relatively high weights used in Wright Stuff, T-
Tails can be used even with some penalty of mass but if they have a
need for speed, that's not what we want.

Tom Sanders
Team Vikes
Received on Wed Oct 01 2008 - 05:19:52 CEST