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Old 6th December 2012 | 10:46
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FBW, I don't entirely agree. An aircraft has mass, and thus momentum, and the center of gravity (around which it will pivot) might not be the same as the aerodynamic center on which a cross-gust might act.

In fact, the fin is designed to have a large aerodynamic cross-section to any crosswind, a small aerodynamic cross-section to any headwind, and to sit well behind the center of gravity. So it acts as a weather-vane, weather-cocking the aircraft into the relative wind and thereby removing any sideslip. Whether that sideslip is induced by the pilot or caused by a gust of wind is irrelevant.

And if the aircraft yaws because of a gust of wind, I would call that weather-cocking, even in flight.
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