On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 23:44:26 +1100, I Can Computer Services wrote:

I presume you are all familiar with the Quicksilver GT500. Those who have
flown one will no doubt be aware of the in flight trim and how it works. I
am designing a small single seater. I too would love this in flight trim
assembly on mine. This would involve having a single strut connection on
each tailplane to allow the leading edge to be raised and lowered as
required. My issue is with flutter in such a configuration. What are your
thoughts regarding elevator static balancing as insurance against the
onset of flutter. I expect no more than 60knots from this bird.

DIYUL

Elevator static balancing is not necessarily the whole answer. You can
get flutter if the horizontal stablizer can twist, if the CG of the
HS/elevator combination is behind the axis that the HS twists around, in
simple terms.

Flutter prevention is a black art. The best bet is probably to find a
successful design, such as the GT500, and slavishly copy every detail.
Stiffness is very important.

Don't assume that you can't get flutter below 60 kt. I saw an amazing
video years ago where a poorly designed and/or constructed ultralight
experienced catastrophic flutter during the take-off roll. Fortunately
the plane came apart before it got airborne, so I don't think the pilot
suffered serious injury.

--
Kevin Horton RV-8 (finishing kit)
Ottawa, Canada
http://go.phpwebhosting.com/~khorton/rv8/
e-mail: khorton02(_at_)rogers(_dot_)com