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Old June 26th 09, 07:01 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Bret
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Posts: 16
Default Definition(s) of pitch sensitivity? All-flying tails

Hi, I hear a lot about pitch sensitivity. Can that mean more than one
thing?

For example, it seems it could mean:

1. A glider in which smaller than typical stick movements are needed
for pitch control

2. A glider in which the pitch stability is less, in that when
perturbed from trimmed level flight the number of pitch oscillations
is large before returning to level flight (or not return at all).

3. A glider in which the pitch stability is fine, but the time to
respond to correction is long, so the pilot overcorrects to cause
PIO.

.... or does it always mean #2?

Are all-flying tails always pitch sensitive (definition #2), or is it
a combination of the all-flying tail with something else?

Does even an experienced pilot have to live with more risk in a pitch
sensitive glider, or is the process of getting used to it that is more
risky?

Thanks