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Flying Flea and The Dutch Roll ... Suggested Fix

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rbrochey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2010
Messages
1,569
Location
Gallup, New Mexico USA
As I've studied through the build manual and plans for my Flea (Falconar F 295 E) I came across something that I didn't know and although may be relative to more than the Wood Construction thread, placed it here anyway. Until I read this I was going to use a more rounded standard Flea looking rudder but I am re-thinking after I read this from Chris Falconar:

"Dutch Roll. This is a pilot overcontrol of stick causing rapid directional and lateral oscillation. It is important to restore straight and level flight before the aircraft gets violent. In flight solution is to center the stick and Flea will automatically restore to straight flight. George Jacquemin's long term solution was to make a fin and smaller rudder. Another way would be to lower rudder aspect ratio, ie: extend the rudder area rearwards. For existing, all rudder, no fin Mignet original the addition of two bungees, one on each side of the rudder horn extending ahead and secured to fuselage side, would probably be the simplest solution."

I was going to us the no fin version am having second thoughts since the plans are for a swept tail (not as cute) with a fin as illustrated here. Any input here is always appreciated.

293E_2v.jpg
 
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