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control surfaces

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Vince Frazier

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 132

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:19 am Post subject: control surfaces

************SNIP I have a HR2 with F1 tail (there a few around in this

config).  As you might guess, this works well.  My only hesitation, I'm

not convinced about the riveted trailing edge on the elevator.



Many F1 guys complain of high stick force but you don't here that from

the HR guys with folded trailing edges. Of course, the control surface

is larger too but I suspect the trailing edge shape to be contributing.

(SNIP)****************



Let's get Jim Winings in on this... he'll tell ya that rounded is

lighter.



My F1H has an RV-4 tail.  Works great.  I added Jim Winings elevator

bellcrank mod to lighten the stick forces even more at low speed (not

enough trim to hold the nose up when solo).  It works great.



As far as the rudder/fin go, I've got the RV-4 rudder/fin and really

can't imagine why you'd want a bigger rudder/fin.  That's just MHO, but

I think it's fine and it's gotta add 10 knots due to less drag. 



Vince

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_________________
Vince Frazier
3965 Caborn Road
Mount Vernon, IN 47620
812-464-1839 work
812-985-7309 home
F-1H Rocket, N540VF
http://vincesrocket.com/

kahuna

Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 93

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:51 am Post subject: control surfaces

No question rounded is lighter, but slower. Rounded disturbs the air

flow off the trailing edge and allows the surface to deflect easier. A

sharp trailing edge allows for the upper and lower air to meet

cleanly(read speed) , but does not like to be disturbed, ie: deflected.

It's a tradeoff. If you look at mods to some very aerobatic planes, like

SP's and Sukois, many have wooden strips glued to the top side trailing

surfaces to REALLY disrupt the airflow coming off the trailing edge and

allows for a ridiculously light control feel. Depends on what you want. 

Mike

Super 8, tapped my trailing edges with a mallet to round em more and

lighted the feel at higher speeds. Works.



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fairlea(at)amtelecom.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject: control surfaces

On my RV4 I had a "tail wagging the dog" feeling one occasion.  Turbulent

air would set it off, a tap with the rudder seemed to stop this.  Other RV4

drivers have reported the same thing. When I built my first HRII I did not

want this so I opted for the RV8 tail which not only had larger vertical

surfaces but also had a counterweighted rudder. A little extra weight in the

back of a standard wing rocket is a good thing so I thought that with a

counterweighted rudder at least the weight would be doing something useful.

I have never felt this wagging sensation on any of my rockets, which have

all had RV8 or F1 tails.  It is quite possible that the RV4 tail does not do

this on a HRII, others can report on their experiences compared to a RV4.

	There is no doubt that the F1 elevators are heavier but I believe it

may have more to do with the increased chord size than the trailing edge.

Either way, Jim Winnings bell crank mod will greatly relieve the stick

pressure and I would recommend the modification.  This is not the case with

the EVO wing which has, in my opinion, light elevator forces with the F1

tail and the standard bell crank.   The trade off with heavier stick forces

is more pitch stability in cruise, so it really depends on your mission. 



Tom Martin



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Blairclan(at)bigpond.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject: control surfaces

Someone should probably mention that the F1 tail is stronger than an RV4

tail and designed specifically for the Rocket.  At the end of the day,

they all work satisfactorily.

I didn't want to put you off with the stick force issue - that can be

altered (if you don't like it) with the bellcrank mod.



Good luck,

Tony



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