Tail Configurations?

[Minnesota_Mike]

I'd REALLY like to THANK everyone here for the superb input...as always, I've learned LOADS from the disscussion here. As a "newbie" this is WHY I whole heartedly support RWF...it get's my brain cells spinning and keeps the gray matter sharp!
Thank You "everyone"!

[Timchick]

Originally Posted by GyroDoug

Tim,

You are being too sensitive when it comes to anything that is said that could be construed as a negative about your prefered H.S. position, when you interpret what I said to be saying the H.S. needs to be down on the Keel. I did not say the H.S. should be on the Keel, I simply pointed out there are both positives and negatives to either location, and tried to point out what they were (at least to my way of thinking.)

I personally think the Butterfly Line of Gyros is the cream of the crop when it comes to modern designed Gyros. Larry Neal has designed some models that put the H.S. in the middle of the propwash and others that have it down on the keel. He did this because of other factors that had to deal with,. with other aspects of the design. And as I have talked to him about why he designed them differently he explained the differences and why he had to change that particular design as opposed to his other designs.

Designing an aircraft is always a bunch of compromises in order to reach your specific goals for the planned mission of the aircraft being designed. I do not think a H. S. has to be in any given position to create a stable and safe Gyroplane. I can think of several different models of Gyroplanes that have the H.S. in both the middle of the prop wash and down on the keel, and I think they are stable and safe Gyroplanes to fly. But I also think they will have slightly different handling characteristics and their safe flying envelopes may be a little different.

I think it is good to go into any situation with both eyes open and to understand both the advantages your chosen model provides as well as any disadvantages or limitations it may have. Just seems wise to me.

Gyro Doug

Doug, I'm not being sensitive about what you said. I don't have a prefered stab position. I put mine where it's at because it was the easiest way for me to add a stab. You're not the only one who has said the stab needs to be down on the keel to get clean air during an engine out and my comments were not directed at you. I've asked the same question in other threads and no one has anwered it.

[Dirtydog]

Start last night working on my tail!

[mabik]

Just out of curiosity, has a canard ever been employed on a gyro? If not, what are the theoretical advantages or disadvantages? One disadvantage I see on a pusher, is that it would be out of the prop wash. I can also imagine some adverse reactions to up and down drafts. What do the experts say?
doc matt

[danmcgee]

here is my completed tail feathers for my Hornet. It is a full flying tail the complete V-stab moves as a unit and the H-stab is mounted solid to the keel.

Dan

Happy Holidays all.

[Dirtydog]

Looks great there Dan. Are you putting the A/Craft together yet?

[danmcgee]

No will have to wait untill the 26th, wife needed me a bit more than exspected but is doing fine now. Will not take but a few hours to put her together anyway.

Happy Holidays to yea Dirtydog

[danmcgee]

oh by the way will have your engine mounts done before the new year to have out to yea.

[danmcgee]

yes I got the e-mail. I used aropoxy from aircraft spruce with cavlar cloth, two layers overlapping in opposit directions. I could stand on this thing full wirght and it does not move much. Very light. I'll make the next set out of carbon fiber.

[danmcgee]

Also will drop to 1" material for the next set, for Hornet #2 and am doing stress test now to maybe using stainless steel rivets insted of bolts will remove 16lbs from the airframes wieght. Main frame unit is also being tested for construction from carbin fiber as well. That will revome tons of wieght from the aircraft because the frame is about 90% carbin fiber an no alum. Should have those test results by Feb.

[rotorod]

Originally Posted by mabik

Just out of curiosity, has a canard ever been employed on a gyro? If not, what are the theoretical advantages or disadvantages? One disadvantage I see on a pusher, is that it would be out of the prop wash. I can also imagine some adverse reactions to up and down drafts. What do the experts say?
doc matt

Canards are very sentitive and are usually controled by electronics. I heard thats why the Wrights brother's plane flew like it did.

[Dirtydog]

I am not to happy with my tail feather that I started off making. well I cut out a different tail feather with the scrap piece that I had left over. Well NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL A TAIL! Take a peek! Please tell me what you think and which on you would use please.

Now the first I did not install the H-stabs. I have them at my work laying in front of the heater trying to get the Epoxy Resin to dry all the way.
Picture 1: Is the new and higher tail. 24" wide at the bottom 38" tall and 13" at the top.
Picture 2: is over head shot of the T it is 48"long and 7" at each end and will be mounted at the top!
Picture 3: is the old tail 24" wide at the bottom and 32" tall and 13" across at the top. The wing or H-stabs will be mounted in the middle.

[RockyMeLad]

Yo Dog,

The tall "T" has good potential for flight characteristics.

An approximation of an airfoil will be more efficient than a flat plate. Think about rounding the leading edge and tapering the trailing edge before glassing. Also be sure you have adequate stiffening and support plates at stress points under the 'glass. The foam makes a good form, but is not much structurally.

[Dirtydog]

RockyMeLad : Trying to get a rough draft of a tail when I through this together the other night. I did go back right after the pictures were taken and tapered the leading edge of the V-stab and I did lay out the line to sand the H-stab. I would bring up the question if the T-tail or a smaller Reg works better I see that a lot of people are moving towards the T-tail.


Dean_Dolph wrote,
It would be interesting to see pix of Rocky's machine with tufts on the stab. with prop turning and then with engine off.
Rocky, can you tell us the overall length of your horz stab?

[Dirtydog]

Friendly : I just got you Quote. I wanted to start on but it seem that some time when I start a new one someone deletes it. I started of the other day one Consoles trying to get a look at a few different ones well I came back and it was gone or should I say moved. I am hoping for spring I want to catch Steve soon. I don't know how things will go but I might be able to do it in 1 week or 7 days. I am trying to find a place to put my fuel pump and also make a console that I will like.
Chris,
when you start your tail construction, would you please start a new thread, and post lots of pictures of the progress?
Tim
you going to make it finished for Spring flying?

I have to sand my tail tomorrow and bring it home from work to get it ready to put the finishing touchs on it. Micro bubbles!