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Struts vs. Cables

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Thunderchook

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Messages
246
Location
Queensland, Australia
Hi all,

So, I got my butt into a WB Drifter to do a Low-Performance, Tailwheel endorsement and notice one thing - you cut the noise and you *literally* have to point your nose at the ground to stop your speed washing off in a split second.
This aircraft has cables everywhere.
And yes, I know that cables are *very* draggy.

But, my CFI says, in many cases, they offer better strength than struts due to being in solid tension instead of requiring both strength in tension and compression.

So, where do you draw then line? At what point do you say "A strut is better than a cable" or "A cable is more suitable than a strut."

I know that there exists aerodynamically-shaped wires. How effective are they?
To what degree do they lessen the drag of cables compare to a plain, aerodynamically-shaped strut?

Thanks.
 
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