Martin Gregorie wrote in message . ..


(big snip)

FWIW in free flight model flying circles the type of descent that
Rutan calls 'feathered mode' is known has been known as 'dethermalised
descent' for at least the last 40 years. Its the same principle: set
the tail angle to hold the aircraft in a stable, fully stalled
condition and wait while it sheds altitude. The only difference is
that SpaceShipOne is unstalled, returning to normal flight for
landing, while a dethermalised model remains fully stalled until it
lands.

Apparently you can do the same thing with a Fieseler Storch if you
need a really minimal landing roll.

Or a specially modified Schweizer SGS1-36. Pictures at:
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Pho...ECN-26847.html

Yahoo!
Eric Coleson
Hobbs, NM