Taxying a Tiger Moth in strongish winds

[G-KEST]

It is due to the really gross amount of differential aileron deflection that DeHavilland used to counteract aileron drag though it really did not work too effectively. By all means have a look next time you are near a Tiger Moth but do ask the owner or engineer first please. One of the more crude design solutions for adverse yaw due to rolling; though popular in the 1920's.

While taxying downwind and a turn needed then applying left aileron would cause the left aileron to go up considerably wheras the right aileron would barely be deflected from neutral. More wind pushing on the rear of the left aileron would assist with a right turn requirement and vice versa.

Taxying into wind and using left aileron would result in a turning moment to the left, again due to extra drag from the raised aileron.

Frankly, the question is somewhat irrelevant these days since any pilot of any biplane (bar an AN2) in his right mind would use a wing tip handler to assist with turning on the ground in anything but a light wind.

Cheers,

Trapper 69