In article ,
Denis Flament wrote:
Mark James Boyd wrote:

I'm considering these factors, because eliminating the
elevator and stab would reduce drag.

That's right.

You should also consider eliminating the wings, that would reduce even
more drag.

An interesting, but more challenging, idea...
An aerodyne without wings...hmmm...


I suppose the best way to experiment with this is in a
model glider first,

Well... I suppose too... if you want to experiment this with a full
scale glider, it will be difficult to find a pilot to put in ;-)

Denis

Hmmm...methinks some sort of pully system in a plain old glider
might do it. Get a weight of the right size so that
if it lodges in the tail, you are still within safe CG, and if
it lodges in the nose, you are still within safe CG.

Maybe this is only a 1 pound weight. Then have an additional control
which moves this weight. Go up to altitude and see if moving
this weight gives sufficient control.

The biggest safety feature would be ensuring the weight didn't
come loose during a critical phase of flight (near the ground)
and your supplementary "weight" cables don't hinder
the original controls in any way...

A weight right in the tail which moves maybe 3 feet forward
when the auxiliary stick is moved might do it. Hmmm...