Tailplane Dihedral
Join Date: Oct 2000
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On prop crates it often is simply to get the tailplane out of the way of the propeller slipstream. Can't really be the case on 737s though I guess... Interesting question.
Cheers,
/ft
Cheers,
/ft
Safety First!
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Maybe it stabilises the tail of the aeroplane and aids lateral and longitudinal stability in pretty much the same way as dihedral does on the mainplanes?
Kermie
Kermie
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As tailplane force acts downwards ( hopefully ), the lower pressure should be on the lower surface. It could thus be a question of an anhedral effect, decreasing spanwise flow and improving tailplane effectiveness.
But who am I to speak of such complicated matters
But who am I to speak of such complicated matters
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That's the one. TP Dihederal is not a stability thing in most airliners.
Our two Welsh and Two Chinese friends who are responsible for lateral stability (Di Hedral, Sweep Baack, Hi Fin and Hi Wing [you will remember that now - huh? - lol]) have more than enough effect on the mainplane and fuselage. You do get some Lateral Stability from DH on the tailplane - but usually you are looking at a cleaner airpath solution on the approach...
MG
Our two Welsh and Two Chinese friends who are responsible for lateral stability (Di Hedral, Sweep Baack, Hi Fin and Hi Wing [you will remember that now - huh? - lol]) have more than enough effect on the mainplane and fuselage. You do get some Lateral Stability from DH on the tailplane - but usually you are looking at a cleaner airpath solution on the approach...
MG
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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Agree with Master Greens comments, but would add that more than one design office faced with the wrong dihedral EFFECT from the whole aircraft has found it cheaper to redesign the tailplane spar than the wing one....
Certainly if a design has an anhedral tailplane (like some military types) it is likely that it is an attempt to reduce an otherwise excessive overall aircraft dihedral effect.
Certainly if a design has an anhedral tailplane (like some military types) it is likely that it is an attempt to reduce an otherwise excessive overall aircraft dihedral effect.
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I understand the anhedral on the Phantom's stabiliser is because it should ideally have been lower down on the fuselage
This was impractical due to the position of the engine outlets so it was effectively made lower by adding anhedral. This may also be true for other military types
This was impractical due to the position of the engine outlets so it was effectively made lower by adding anhedral. This may also be true for other military types