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#11
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"tscottme" wrote:
Mike Beede wrote in message ... The B-2 appears to be climbing. If so, why does it have its rudders in air brake mode (whatever the correct terminology is, please fill it in)? When you're climbing, you'd usually prefer to *reduce* drag, not increase it. Mike Beede I was somewhat surprised to learn that the slightly deployed surfaces you see in the photo are usually slightly deployed during much of the flight. I doubt this applies during segments when stealth is most in demand, but as I recall it being explained, the slight deployment of those surfaces have only a small aerodynamic penalty, if any, but at this position they are immediately useful for aircraft control. That's to say, from their completely stowed position until the position at which they affect aircraft control there would be a significant lag. Traveling with the drag rudders in the position in the photo gives a more prompt reaction to control input. I seem to remember the figure being that the drag rudders are deployed approximately 5 degrees from their stowed position most of the time. This explanation seems to be supported by the practice of some sailplanes. I was surprised to learn that some high performance sailplanes (gliders) actually are able to raise their flaps *slightly above* the stowed position and achieve better lift or maybe it's speed in that configuration. Sort of goes along with how hydraulics work...the hydraulic controls of sensitive items like propellers have a built in 'jitter' to the system pressure. It's explained by saying that half the time the fluid is moving in the direction that it's needed to move, this makes for a more immediate response when demanded. Don't kill -me-, kill my many instructors... -- -Gord. |
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