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<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
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In a message dated 1/25/2002 11:08:50 PM Mountain Standard Time, lancair.list@olsusa.com writes:
<< Rob, who has a Phd in aero design (?) thinks the rudder is the least
suceptable to flutter with the ailerons being most worrysome. >>
Thanks, Walter, but even with the fancy degree I know next to nothing about flutter. However, I can see how gravity affects flutter when it can exert a hinge moment, as it can with a horizontal control surface (ailerons and elevator). What I don't understand is how it affects the rudder. I don't understand why the rudder needs to be counterbalanced at all. But I could be dead wrong about that, and "dead" is the operative word here.
What I do know is that the guys at the factory have looked at flutter pretty closely, and if they say to counterbalance the rudder, I sure as hell am going to do it. Using whatever it takes. Sorry, Walter, if I misled you here. I do recall that what you were doing looked fine, though I no longer remember the details. I certainly would have said something if I were concerned -- anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not bashful in that regard. I don't know how big a deal it is to balance the rudder on the IV-P, but if they say to do it, I think you'd better do so, and I'm glad you agree.
I went to an EAA chapter meeting in the early 1980's where Burt Rutan was the guest speaker. He had just gotten out of the homebuilt movement then, having elected to no longer sell plans. He said that there were guys out there that didn't balance their control surfaces, even though the plans said "Do this or you will die!" or words to that effect. Control surface balance is serious business, and it takes someone more knowledgeable than I to say whether it is or is not necessary on the rudder. Here's where I follow the factory recommendation without deviation.
- Rob Wolf
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