Tailplane question

I'm building the tail-plane of my wooden aircraft and the plans have
specific measurements of the ribs every couple of inches to get the
shape from leading edge back. Unfortunately when I built the ribs it
came out looking as if it would create a whole lot of drag. In fact
when I follow the measurements, the first 3 inches go from 1/2" to 3"
in thickness immediately, and then smooth out. Not only does this just
look wrong, but not even close to the drawing supplied. I've checked
my numbers 3 times now, and keep getting the same results. Can anyone
tell me where to find information on the design and construction of
tail-planes? I may have to redesign this part.
Lou

I'm building the tail-plane of my wooden aircraft and the plans have
specific measurements of the ribs every couple of inches to get the
shape from leading edge back. Unfortunately when I built the ribs it
came out looking as if it would create a whole lot of drag. In fact
when I follow the measurements, the first 3 inches go from 1/2" to 3"
in thickness immediately, and then smooth out. Not only does this just
look wrong, but not even close to the drawing supplied. I've checked
my numbers 3 times now, and keep getting the same results. Can anyone
tell me where to find information on the design and construction of
tail-planes? I may have to redesign this part.

Tailplane drag is not likely to be all that significant in the grander
scheme of things. A thicker tailplane can give you more authority. The
TurbineLegend and its descendants had tailplane thickness of either 13
or 16% (forget which), and I believe the RV series is at 9%. This isn't
an engineering answer, of course, but it doesn't sound to me like you've
necessarily got a problem.

What kind of plane is it, and what speed range? What are the chord,
thickness, and span of the tailplane?

Ed Wischmeyer

check the coordinats one more time, so you don't have a comma in the wrong
place!?

Jan Carlsson

"Lou Parker" skrev i meddelandet
om...
I'm building the tail-plane of my wooden aircraft and the plans have
specific measurements of the ribs every couple of inches to get the
shape from leading edge back. Unfortunately when I built the ribs it
came out looking as if it would create a whole lot of drag. In fact
when I follow the measurements, the first 3 inches go from 1/2" to 3"
in thickness immediately, and then smooth out. Not only does this just
look wrong, but not even close to the drawing supplied. I've checked
my numbers 3 times now, and keep getting the same results. Can anyone
tell me where to find information on the design and construction of
tail-planes? I may have to redesign this part.
Lou

"Jan Carlsson" wrote in message ...
check the coordinats one more time, so you don't have a comma in the wrong
place!?

Jan Carlsson

"Lou Parker" skrev i meddelandet
om...
I'm building the tail-plane of my wooden aircraft and the plans have
specific measurements of the ribs every couple of inches to get the
shape from leading edge back. Unfortunately when I built the ribs it
came out looking as if it would create a whole lot of drag. In fact
when I follow the measurements, the first 3 inches go from 1/2" to 3"
in thickness immediately, and then smooth out. Not only does this just
look wrong, but not even close to the drawing supplied. I've checked
my numbers 3 times now, and keep getting the same results. Can anyone
tell me where to find information on the design and construction of
tail-planes? I may have to redesign this part.
Lou

You didn't mention the name of the aircraft you are building, and have
you checked with the designer?

Ed Sullivan

You didn't mention the name of the aircraft you are building, and have
you checked with the designer?

Ed Sullivan


Ed:

I thought you were dead.

BWB

On 19 Jan 2004 07:43:37 -0800, (Lou Parker) wrote:

I'm building the tail-plane of my wooden aircraft and the plans have
specific measurements of the ribs every couple of inches to get the
shape from leading edge back. Unfortunately when I built the ribs it
came out looking as if it would create a whole lot of drag. In fact
when I follow the measurements, the first 3 inches go from 1/2" to 3"
in thickness immediately, and then smooth out. Not only does this just
look wrong, but not even close to the drawing supplied. I've checked
my numbers 3 times now, and keep getting the same results. Can anyone
tell me where to find information on the design and construction of
tail-planes? I may have to redesign this part.
Lou


Do not redesign anything. You didn't mention what airplane you were
building but 3 inches is nothing since the tailplane is streamlined
when you get the skin on it. The airplane most likely needs that meat
for strength.

BWB

(Badwater Bill) wrote in message ...

You didn't mention the name of the aircraft you are building, and have
you checked with the designer?

Ed Sullivan


Ed:

I thought you were dead.

BWB

Bill,

Only in the dorsal lower mid region

EBS