View Full Version : Concorde pitch control
dublinpilot
4th Dec 2003, 21:00
Looking at pictures of Concorde recently it struck me that there doesn't seem to be any elevator......so how does the pilot control it's pitch?
Somehow I know the answer is going to be obvious....but I'm too curious to keep the question to myself!
yakker
4th Dec 2003, 21:36
It uses elevon's
FlyingForFun
4th Dec 2003, 21:37
Suspect you'll get a far more detailed answer in Questions than in here - there are at least one or two Concorde pilots (ex Concorde pilots?) who read that forum. But, as far as I know, the control surfaces at the back of the wings are "elevons" - combination elevators and ailerons. Move the controls on each side in the same direction for pitch control, or in oposite direction for roll control. Quite happy to be corrected on this one, though.
FFF
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[Edit - yakker got in before me!]
Aussie Andy
4th Dec 2003, 21:39
Elevon - see http://www.rcmicroflight.com/library/glossary.asp#EA control surface (elevator+aileron). An aileron with differential and collective actuation located a significant distance behind the CG. Common on flying wings. See also http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entries/66/e0086600.htmlNOUN: A control surface on an airplane that combines the functions of an elevator and an aileron. ETYMOLOGY: elev(ator) + (ailer)on. Hope this helps,
Andy
yakker
4th Dec 2003, 21:48
try http://www.concordesst.com for more info on Concorde
down&out
4th Dec 2003, 22:39
......so how does the pilot control it's pitch?
Unfortunately they don't control the pitch .....
or anything else anymore:rolleyes:
Final 3 Greens
4th Dec 2003, 23:11
Don't forget that trim in pitch was achieved by pumping fuel fore and aft.
dublinpilot
4th Dec 2003, 23:12
Thanks guys. I'd a feeling it might be something like that. :ok:
Shaggy Sheep Driver
5th Dec 2003, 02:16
Yup, elevons - like the Vulcan. Concorde's droop in the down position when there is no power on the aeroplane. So that's how they'll all be for ever and ever now:(
When she went supersonic, there was a big movement in the wing's centre of pressure. To counteract this, fuel was indeed pumped forwards or backwards to move the CG. To have done it using trim tabs would have generated an unaccetable level of drag.
SSD