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Increasing Angle of Incidence

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keith103

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
134
Location
Aurora, Denver,CO
This is more of a hypothetical question, but I am interested to learn.

The positive angle of incidence on the MiniMax airplane's wings is made possible by rigging the bottom the rear spar 1 inch lower than the bottom of the front spar. Obviously we need to keep the fuselage horizontal before measuring this differential and only then attach the wings. I think this translates to an angle of incidence of about 3 degrees measured across the chord on the flat bottom of the wing.

I was just trying to imagine what would be the result if we were to lower the rear spar by 1.5 inches instead of the standard 1 inch, to provide possibly another 1 to 1.5 degrees of incidence making a total of 4.5 degrees instead of 3 degrees.

I am certain total drag will increase. Will the stalling speed reduce or increase ? How about landing speed ?

Will the plane require a more powerful engine to overcome the increased drag? Will there be other changes in how the plane handles ?

This is a basic aerodynamic question, but I referred the MiniMax only because I wanted to try it on a MiniMax.

Why would I do this ? I surely would not do it if I were to fly from point A to Point B, because the increased drag would reduce performance and range. But if I wished to loiter in the local flying area while flying at 50 feet, and gaze down to admire the farmland or the river, then it may be more fun flying slower.

Thanks
 
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