Flaperons

"Dave Hyde" wrote in message
...
Nils Rostedt wrote...

Speaking of gliders, I wonder if any gliders have
an arrangement whereby both ailerons can be moved
in unison to a really high negative (up) angle,
in effect acting as spoilers or speedbrakes...

What you describe sounds like "crow" mixing,
where the flaps go down and the ailerons (both)
reflex up. It's still used in RC gliders, and
given that there are several powered airplanes
that use it or something similar I'd bet that
there are full-size gliders that use it as well.
There's also trailing edge reflex, where flaps
and ailerons all move *slightly* trailing edge up,
but not a lot, and that's for drag reduction in
cruise, not drag increase for approach. Some
full-size gliders use this as well.

Dave 'poor man's DLC' Hyde






The most successful high-drag device is a Shempp-Hirth trailing edge dive
brake. The half span flaps go to 80 degrees down and a surface of equal
span and width rotates up from the upper wing surface on the same hinge line
as the flaps. This results in a surface twice the chord of the flaps at
right angles to the airflow. The effect is dramatic. Several pilots have
had police meet them on the ground after landing to investigate the 'crash'.

The view from the cockpit is scary at first. The nose is so far down that
it looks like a 'lawn dart' maneuver. Precision spot landings are very easy
when you get the hang of it. Just aim the nose at the touch down spot. If
you see you are long, just push the nose further down - the airspeed won't
increase. The flare has to be timed right but the feel is very slow and
"floaty" with a soft touchdown and short roll. You get the feeling that you
could land on a 'postage stamp'.

Bill Daniels