T-Tails - Why?

[ExSimGuy]

So high-wing?

Thanks for all of the contributions and explans!

Thinking about these, the only big advantage of the rear-engine/T-tail config seems to be in avoiding the lack of under-wing space for the engines (especially on smaller turbo-jet aircraft)

Another approach to solving this problem might be to go back to the once-popular (and still so on light a/c and turbo-props) configuration of high-wing.

* A high-wing aircraft has stacks of space under the wings for engines.

* A high-wing aircraft has "natural roll-stability" as the G of G is under the Centre of Lift, and will "want to" fly level (we use dihedral on aircraft to encourage just this behaviour)

* A high-wing aircraft can have the stabilisers mounted where they are very unlikely to be in the wing shadow, and might have their efficiency enhanced by the higher-velocity air emanating from the engine efflux.

* A high-wing aircraft gives pax and crew a better view of the ground.

* Higher engines would be less likely to suffer FOD, especially during reverse thrust.

* A high wing would probably be less likely to be damaged by apron vehicles driving into it (for large aircraft)

(-) Admittedly, the engines on a high-wing are unlikely to be so low as to be below the G of G, and therefor would not produce the same pitch-up force when accelerating (usually what is needed at that time - TOGA, emergencies) - in fact, would probably produce a pitch-down moment, not always good

So, reducing the question to the absurd, what about an A380-type aircraft with a high-wing, and 4 Trents (or GE poor copies ) hanging beneath them? What's wrong with this picture?

Is it just that pax feel happier seeing a wing underneath them, holding them UP? - rather than a wing above them that they are "HANGING FROM"?

I think that, if we put our heads together here, we could produce a really revolutionary new aircraft design