davidb
Well-Known Member
In an unrelated thread I posted a comment about a flight characteristic of my airplane (a boat hull amphibious aircraft) that I'd like to share here. Maybe some of the engineers can comment.
In smooth air, the airplane will cruise along hands and feet off quite nicely. However, in bumpy air, it will enter a yawed condition (usually to the left) and just stay that way until I kick the rudder and wiggle the ailerons to return it to a stable unyawed condition.
I'm wondering if it's just the shape of the fuselage that makes it "happy" to stabilize in a yawed state. It's otherwise a very good handling airplane both in the air and on the water.
Thoughts? Is there an easy design revision that would correct this trait without adversely affecting the positive traits?
In smooth air, the airplane will cruise along hands and feet off quite nicely. However, in bumpy air, it will enter a yawed condition (usually to the left) and just stay that way until I kick the rudder and wiggle the ailerons to return it to a stable unyawed condition.
I'm wondering if it's just the shape of the fuselage that makes it "happy" to stabilize in a yawed state. It's otherwise a very good handling airplane both in the air and on the water.
Thoughts? Is there an easy design revision that would correct this trait without adversely affecting the positive traits?
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