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Old 1st Oct 2008, 05:16
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Wiley
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
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I've never appreciated just how massive a vertical stabiliser these things have
Anyone who has sat at the holding point watching what happens to the 'bou's 'massive vertical stabiliser' with brakes set and METO power applied just before it starts a STOL takeoff comes away with great respect for the durability -and malleability - of aviation grade aluminium. With full power applied, the whole tail section of the 'bou takes on a mind of it own, twisting and turning every which way, a bit like a snake that's been pinned to the floor on a shovel blade. (And that's not as big an exaggeration as some might suspect - the amount of flexing and wobbling is little short of alarming!!)
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