Aerowerx
Well-Known Member
Use your own definition of "better".
But according to Raymer's 'Simplified Design' book, a vertical fin with a T-tail is supposed to be more effective than a conventional tail configuration.
What is meant by "more effective" in this context? I have been playing with XFLR5, comparing a low mounted horizontal tail with a T-Tail. The low mounted tail has a higher longitudinal damping than the T-tail---all else being the same (only changing the placement up and down of the horizontal tail). This would mean that the conventional low-mount would appear more directionally stable.
Has anyone else looked into this? Or is this a case where XFLR5 trips on its own shoe laces?
Addendum: I just took another look at it before hitting "Submit". In addition to the longitudinal damping being smaller, the T-tail also has a lower natural frequency, making the question even more complex. So in that case, I guess you could say the T-tail is "better".
But according to Raymer's 'Simplified Design' book, a vertical fin with a T-tail is supposed to be more effective than a conventional tail configuration.
What is meant by "more effective" in this context? I have been playing with XFLR5, comparing a low mounted horizontal tail with a T-Tail. The low mounted tail has a higher longitudinal damping than the T-tail---all else being the same (only changing the placement up and down of the horizontal tail). This would mean that the conventional low-mount would appear more directionally stable.
Has anyone else looked into this? Or is this a case where XFLR5 trips on its own shoe laces?
Addendum: I just took another look at it before hitting "Submit". In addition to the longitudinal damping being smaller, the T-tail also has a lower natural frequency, making the question even more complex. So in that case, I guess you could say the T-tail is "better".
