oriol
Well-Known Member
Hi!
Is there a big aerodynamic difference between an aircraft with a flat aileron beyond the original airfoil chord, and a conventional one (aileron inside the chord length)?
This feature was more or less common in early aircraft. However today it can also be found on some tube and fabric airplanes. Perhaps modern light airplanes use that configuration because it allows to have a curved wing upper surface and a flat aileron; this might be convenient from a construction perspective. I guess that a flat aileron extending beyond the wing airfoil does not represent a big drag penalty.
Any one has an idea of the pros and cons of this configuration?
I am trying to build my first RC model to experiment with formulas. I have not found anything regarding that particular arrangement in literature. In the only remaining RC shop nearby, I have found a leading curved wood edge strip for the leading edge, and another strip shaped for ailerons. Using both strips, it is very hard to plot the airfoil I have picked. Buildng the wing an adding a flat aileron behind the trailing edge would be an interesting option to stick to the original airfoil coordinates. This has make me wonder about the differences between one arrangement and the other one.
I assume that with sufficient power an RC aircraft can fly acceptably, even if the airfoil differs from the original profile.
Cheers,
Oriol
Is there a big aerodynamic difference between an aircraft with a flat aileron beyond the original airfoil chord, and a conventional one (aileron inside the chord length)?
This feature was more or less common in early aircraft. However today it can also be found on some tube and fabric airplanes. Perhaps modern light airplanes use that configuration because it allows to have a curved wing upper surface and a flat aileron; this might be convenient from a construction perspective. I guess that a flat aileron extending beyond the wing airfoil does not represent a big drag penalty.
Any one has an idea of the pros and cons of this configuration?
I am trying to build my first RC model to experiment with formulas. I have not found anything regarding that particular arrangement in literature. In the only remaining RC shop nearby, I have found a leading curved wood edge strip for the leading edge, and another strip shaped for ailerons. Using both strips, it is very hard to plot the airfoil I have picked. Buildng the wing an adding a flat aileron behind the trailing edge would be an interesting option to stick to the original airfoil coordinates. This has make me wonder about the differences between one arrangement and the other one.
I assume that with sufficient power an RC aircraft can fly acceptably, even if the airfoil differs from the original profile.
Cheers,
Oriol
