BBerson
Light Plane Philosopher
-Flat plate vs. airfoil shaped tail surfaces-
How much more drag is a typical Cub or ultralight flat plate type tail surface compared to a modern glider with a NACA 0012 or similar cantilever tail surface?
I could not find any drag data for a 1" thick flat plate to compare with NACA 0012.
Also the CUB has additional wire bracing drag.
So overall, about how much less drag does a modern cantilever tail surface airfoil compare with the flat and wire braced surface at climb and glide speeds?
I would guess about half the drag.
How much more drag is a typical Cub or ultralight flat plate type tail surface compared to a modern glider with a NACA 0012 or similar cantilever tail surface?
I could not find any drag data for a 1" thick flat plate to compare with NACA 0012.
Also the CUB has additional wire bracing drag.
So overall, about how much less drag does a modern cantilever tail surface airfoil compare with the flat and wire braced surface at climb and glide speeds?
I would guess about half the drag.