Gerhard Wesp wrote:
Martin Gregorie wrote:
I'd agree about the speed, but doesn't turning circle also depend in
control surface size and deflection range?

No. More control will just enable you to get into and out of a turn faster,
but it has no influence on the turn radius itself.

I'd agree for ailerons and rudder, but I think that in a steeply banked
turn elevator deflection can limit the turn radius. Of course that's
only the case if there's not enough deflection to cause a stall at the
turning bank angle.

I'd further suggest that if there's not enough aileron and rudder
deflection for fairly crisp manoevering it all becomes academic if the
plane can't turn sharply enough to get into the thermal in the first place.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. |
org | Zappa fan & glider pilot