I learned a long time ago that by coupling flaps to ailerons the model would track better. (And yes, every model) My first experience with this was with a slope racer (Swift 800) with a short tail moment, and undersized V-tail. I had trouble getting it to track properly at different ballasted weights, differing lift conditions and airspeeds. A slope racer needs to track well in all conditions and quickly changing conditions. When I say it would track better, I mean it would initiate roll with less adverse yaw. 30-40% seemed to work best (if the flaps were built to accept this much - if not, as much as I could get without binding). I have translated this to every model I've flown since then, and model set up is much easier. Dr Drela's explanation makes a lot of sense. I love it when the really smart aero guys verify my findings... ;-)
I heard someone talking about "turning" with ailerons. We don't turn with ailerons, we initiate roll with ailerons. We want to do this as effortlessly and cleanly (axially) as possible, and create a minimum of adverse yaw. With the flaps coupled, I can run less total aileron throw for the required roll rate, less differential, and less rudder coupling to accomplish an axial roll into the bank. Thanks Mark D for putting so much time and effort into this soaring thing. And Mike L - I guess I'll switch my F3B models to poly ships... you know... to keep the wing clean and use rudder... ;-) And Mike Smith - insert Daryl giving the raspberries... ;-)~ (Sorry guys, but Mike didn't used to couple the flaps on his Sharons - I always... uh... "fixed" his program when I borrowed his planes) Have fun guys! D __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
