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  1. oriol

    Is there any proportion rule for aileron and flap chord proportions?

    Hi! Most airfoils in ToWS hace an aileron or flap at 0,2 chord. So it is to be assumed, that sticking to that proportions might be OK. However in Pazmany's great book Light aircraft design, we have a very useful table below, providing some guidelines for elevator area in percent of stabilator...
  2. oriol

    Streamline theory

    Hi! I am reading Fundamentals of Aero to be able to understand airfoil theory. It takes a bit of reading before being able to do somethig meaningful, but I believe the effort is worth it. I am bit lost about how Anderson, the author, proceeds in example 2.3 of the book below. In the...
  3. oriol

    X59 supersonic experimental aircraft

    Hi! I have read about the X59 concept aircraft today on the news. It seems that the aircraft is intended to revive supersonic transportation by achieving acceptable noise levels. Beyond that, what has surprised me the most is the lack of forward visibility from the cockpit, much like Rutan's...
  4. oriol

    Ideal horizontal Stabilizer location?

    Hi! I believe that it is recommended, to locate the horizontal stabilizer away from the wing slipstream. To achieve this, the vertical distance between the stabilizer and the wing, ought to be at least the wing's mean aerodynamic chord. Therefore the most practical place to locate the stab...
  5. oriol

    Iranian F14s still flying

    The Blackbird is made of titanium. As far as I know the F4 or F14 are made of the same alu of a Cessna, the only difference is the alu thickness. I guess that the Iranians F14 airframes that are still flying, are probably not the original ones. Cheers, Oriol
  6. oriol

    Iranian F14s still flying

    Hi! I was wondering how, the Iranians have been able to keep their fleet of F14's in flying condition, despite the embargo? I assume that it is possible, with obviously sufficient resources, to reverse engineer all the necessary parts, to extend the life of an aircraft. Perhaps sometimes it...
  7. oriol

    Achieving static stability

    Hi! I am following Anderson's introduction to flight to calculate static stability in my glider. In practice all theory regarding static stability is only a matter of calculating moments. Thanks god, because I enjoy drawing force diagrams and computing forces, it is much more fun than dealing...
  8. oriol

    What is the alpha range for a finite airfoil?

    Hi! Given that the slope for a finite and an infinite wing are different. I am not sure if the alfa/aoa range for both wings is the same? I have books that the explain how to calculate the slope for a finite wing, but they do not mention if the range is the same? This is critical to be able to...
  9. oriol

    Timoshenko Problems thread

    Hi! I had a small bicycle crash that has grounded me for at least a week. The good thing about it, is that I can focus on learning more about structures for a week! I think that it would be good, to have a dedicated thread to Timoshenko, or other structures theory books. So that anyone can...
  10. oriol

    How nose wheel retract steering works?

    Hi! I am not up to build a nose wheel retract system, but I am very curious as to how this mechanism works? I understand that airliners mount an hidraulic steering system, that is attached to the folding nose wheel. But how about light sport airplanes without hidraulic steering? It seems...
  11. oriol

    Statically Determinate Folding Wing

    Hi! At the begining of Niu's Airframe's structures book, there are three funny drawings that reflect the compromises aircraft design has to achieve. By focusing in the most resistant and simple structure, I like the Airtruk, or the Durand Mark V approach. They both remind a truss bridge. Which...
  12. oriol

    Calculating Principal stresses on a Timoshenko example

    Hi! I am reading Timoshenko, the bible of structures. I hope to get to the next chapter covering combined loads, but first I need to finish this one, to understand Mohr's circle etc. Perhaps posting this in here, might help others interested in learning about structure analysis. It will be...
  13. oriol

    Understanding pulleys and tackles formulas?

    Hi! This might not apply to something found inside an aircraft, but it might be useful for lifting a heavy weight on the shop. I am having trouble, in understanding how the formulas for a moving pulley/tackle are deduced? I have tried to dig in my books and on the internet, without much...
  14. oriol

    Error calculating elastic modulus of Ducal ST 52

    Hi! The vast majority of frames I build, is using Ducal/St 52, which seems to be the closest thing available in here to Chromolly, with thin walls. The local supplier provides some specifications; Elastic limit 48 kg/mm2 Maximum elongation 6% minimum, With this parameters, it seems to be...
  15. oriol

    The bicycle paraglider project

    Hi, first aero build! I am currently modifying one of my recumbents to adapt a paraglider. The idea is to carry a paraglider on the bike, so that take off sites can be reached by pedal, without depending on cars. This potentially could allow for a wonderful cross country journey, mixing road...
  16. oriol

    Is multirotor more energy efficient than single rotor EVTOL?

    Hi! Volocopter will be offering Air taxis for the Paris Olympics. In another thread Addaon, mentioned that no matter if multirotor or single rotor, because at the end what matters is the total rotor area. If so, I do not understand why no one is trying to electrify helis, instead of going...
  17. oriol

    Optimal wing incidence?

    Hi! I started building an RC aircraft to be able to design an aircraft, and better understand the theory. As a sort of rule of thumb, I have noticed that many aircrafts with flat bottom airfoils, have the lower surface parallel to the bottom of the fuselage. The wiki tells that a common angle...
  18. oriol

    Welded aluminium floats?

    Hi! Out of curiosity, might an alu weld float be more easy to build, or better, than a rivetted alu float? I do not know even if those exist? If not, there is probably a reason beyond the required aluminium welding skills. Cheers, Oriol
  19. oriol

    Understanding crossed beams structures with pictures?

    Hi! I am having a hard time, thinking and finding examples, of how cross beam structures work? By cross beams I mean, a twin engine mounted on the wing, like a Piper seneca, where the engine mount is bolted at 90º with respect to the main spar. Or a double tail aircraft, like the Vampir or the...
  20. oriol

    DC 3 wing planform

    Hi all! I was just wondering why the DC 3, uses a swept tapered wing instead of a reverse arrow, or a plain rectangular wing? The airplane was revolutionary, and went through a lot of wind testing. So it is rare, that for the same level of complexity, they did not picked a reverse arrow...
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