On Sep 28, 11:15*am, Nyal Williams wrote:
Is there a term for the difference between the angle of incidence of the
wing and the angle of incidence of the tailplane? *I have heard/read
decalage used this way; however, wikipedia says decalage means the
difference between the angles of incidence between the two wings of a
bi-plane. *(Thinking of that makes me think that extending Fowler flaps
turns the aircraft into a bi-plane). *

Is there a separate term? *Is this usage correct (Is Wikipedia just
incomplete?)?

Looks like Wikipedia is incomplete. Decalage between wing and tail is
used to generate pitch stability.

Take a look at http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/aoastab.html, it has a good
explanation.

Kirk