Hello to everyone,
I need some help...I am currently studying my final year at university and the dissertation project that I have chosen is 'The optimisation of cockpit controls and control surfaces of the Skyranger Microlight'.
I have been looking into optimisaing/altering the rudder which is used on the skyranger.
I was thinking of optimising the rudder by using a aerodynamic balance tab.
I have done some research and have an understanding that aerodynamic balances tabs (horns) are used to reduce the stick forces required by making the size of the hinge moment smaller.
Recently I have found this NACA paper which states that angles of yaw upto 20 (degrees) had no appreciable effect on the reduction of hinge moments due to tabs.
(
http://aerade.cranfield.ac.uk/ara/19...report-528.pdf)
If you look at similar aircraft such as the C152 and the PA28, they use Aerodynamic balance tabs.
But if the case from the NACA paper is true then why bother using the tabs?
Before I can put this problem forward to my professor, I wanted some advice on this.
I have probably forgotten a lot of information, i will add it as i remember
Any advice would be highly appreciated.