Negative flaps for better low speed aileron control?

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 00:05:03 UTC, "
wrote:

: at low speeds
: and "high angle of attack", the airflow around the wing is probably
: highly turbulent

I doubt that. Turbulence is associated with high Reynolds number, and
that depends directly on speed. Low speed - low Re - less
turbulence.

Ian
--

Ok, I'll buy that - makes sense. The explanation that the dropping
wing has a much higher momentary angle of attack also makes sense -
especially if your response is to bang on full aileron!

One hard-core solution is to fill up to the gills with water and let
inertia keep the wings level until aerodynamic control is reached -
just don't move that stick off the forward & center position until you
have enough speed to keep the wings level!

Only partially joking - heavy wings do seem less susceptible to wing
drops, in my limited experience.

Kirk
66

On Tue, 2 Aug 2005 20:01:36 UTC, wrote:

: One hard-core solution is to fill up to the gills with water and let
: inertia keep the wings level until aerodynamic control is reached -
: just don't move that stick off the forward & center position until you
: have enough speed to keep the wings level!

I believe that one of the main reasons for wing drops at launch is
wings being held level by tip runners. If the runner has to exert a
significant force - wind, non-central ailerons, combination - then as
soon as s/he lets go the glider will roll. If I'm holding the tip
before launch and, say, having to apply a significant up force, I let
it go down about half way. Normally the pilot's reflexes kick in with
some opposite aileron, the load comes off and I bring the wing up to
level again. If that doesn't work I tell the pilot what the problem
is.

Ian


--

Ian Johnston wrote:

If I'm holding the tip
before launch and, say, having to apply a significant up force, I let
it go down about half way. Normally the pilot's reflexes kick in with
some opposite aileron, the load comes off and I bring the wing up to
level again. If that doesn't work I tell the pilot what the problem
is.

I instruct my wing runners to balance the wing, not hold it level. I've
found some wing runners don't really know what level looks like when
they are 50 to 60 feet from the other tip, and the wing is drooping
because of the water weight. Wind and slight control deflections play a
role, too, but if the wing is balanced, it won't drop. Being level is
generally not important.

If balanced is way off level, the pilot should notice something is
wrong, and he should determine the cause. It might be the ballast is not
equal, for example. I would rather not have the wing runner attempting
to "correct" the situation.


--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA