On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 17:13:25 GMT, Chris W wrote:

I got such a good answer on my question about flap design I thought I
would ask another design question. why would a plane that has two
engines have two vertical stabilizers. No in the case of the Aircoupe I
always thought the reason for the twin tail was so that the helical prop
wash wouldn't induce a yaw tendency from the prop wash hitting the
vertical stabilizer/rudder. It is my understanding that the Aircoupe
was designed so you wouldn't need rudder pedals, and the twin tail I
think would have helped that. But on a twin engine, what's the point?
having two vertical stabilizers and two rudders seems significantly more
complicated both structurally and mechanically so why do it if there
isn't some advantage? There must be one I don't know about.
So many smart answers to averything but the question.
If the tail assembly is in the prop awsh, the low and no-speed
response is much greater. ie ground and taxi.
The tradeoff is the crosswind component induced by the spinning prop,
which the Ercoup didn't want, so the put the rudders outboard of the
prop and pu on a kickass main gear system to keep the thing straight.
Mr Knowital.