wrote in message
ups.com...
Would a taildragger with clipped wings be more likely to ground loop
than if it had it's full span wings?

Kevin T

Depending on the airplane, it could be a problem. The real physics in
the groundloop equation has to be considered as a whole picture, not
just the length of the wing, although changing the mass ratio between
the wing and fuselage can indeed effect this situation.
The main gear and the tailwheel form a triangle that can be stable or
unstable in specific conditions depending on how the sides of this
triangle balance together. Then you have to add the aerodynamics
involved in the wing itself and how that influences the triangle in
different situations.
It's a complicated thing really. The main point of it is that what
effects ground loop is usually not a single factor data point. As is the
case in most of aircraft design issues, it's a combination of factors
and how these factors interplay with each other.
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/CFI Retired
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dhenriques(at)(delete all this)earthlink(dot)net