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Old April 16th 07, 05:00 PM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
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Default Slotted Flaps Pitching Moment

On Apr 14, 1:59 pm, john smith wrote:
In article ,

"J.Kahn" wrote:
Does the presence of the
slot in the flap move the overall wing CP forward or aft vs the
unslotted flap at a given angle? This is what I'm having trouble
finding out. I would think that the presence of the slot imcreases the
pressure gradient and moves it more aft than the plain one, so that the
pitching moment is increased.


AS Stealth Pilot posted, the purpose of the slot is to energize the flow
over the flap.

A better question is, what are the relationships between center of
pressure (CP) and center of lift (CL)?

Do they differ?

Why do they differ?

Under what conditions do they coincide?


CP is the term most often used, implying that it's the same
thing.

As far as pitching moment, there are other considerations
besides CP movement. In the 150 and 172 the nose pitches UP when flaps
are deployed, not down. The downwash off the flaps strikes the
stabilizer and raises the nose, demanding nose-down trim. The position
of the stab is a bit different in other Cessnas like the 180/185 and
the nose pitches down instead.

Dan