Richard Miller
08-28-2002, 12:56 PM
Dave &co.
I really puzzled over that glider that wouldn't turn, then after some days I remembered the Handley-Page 0/400. Fella pulled back on the stick and the airplane just kept sailing along. Turned out the fuselage, which, as you'll recall, is on the long side, was acting as a parallelogram. As the horizontal surface went up the end of the fuselage went down. Net effect: zero.
So, IF, the fixed vertical surface were not properly secured, it could absorb all force intended to turn the plane. Just kind of lean over and do nothin'. In any event, something to keep an eye on in such cases.
-Richard
I really puzzled over that glider that wouldn't turn, then after some days I remembered the Handley-Page 0/400. Fella pulled back on the stick and the airplane just kept sailing along. Turned out the fuselage, which, as you'll recall, is on the long side, was acting as a parallelogram. As the horizontal surface went up the end of the fuselage went down. Net effect: zero.
So, IF, the fixed vertical surface were not properly secured, it could absorb all force intended to turn the plane. Just kind of lean over and do nothin'. In any event, something to keep an eye on in such cases.
-Richard