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Old 07-06-2011 | 09:23 PM
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Eddie P's Avatar
Eddie P
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From: Reno, NV
Default RE: CALLING ALL FLASH EXPERTS!

ORIGINAL: ddlstang
Have you or anyone you know tried reflexing the ailerons down instead of crow, I know the wing makes a ton of lift and will fly dog slow anyway but was just a thought, may not have some of the tendencies.
I don't have Flash time but I do have a lot of experience with drooped ailerons and reflex ailerons (crow) in several different models. A few seasons ago I swore off the use of drooped ailerons after trying to make it work for me on a sport jet for quite some time and actually thinking for a while that I preferred it. The difference I saw was that the drooped ailerons, while they did actually allow a slightly slower approach speed, tended to make unexpected lift on the runway well below touchdown speed (reduces braking efficiency) and the model did actually tend to float a lot in ground effect and bounce more when it did come down (forcing it down was suicide). The chance of a low speed bounce gaining altitude and then resulting in a deep stall and impact on the runway was higher. I always felt like I was really working to get the model down slow enough to not overshoot but not too slow that the wing would just quit all at once.

With crow, there is essentially more stall protection for the outer wing section and the jet's body angle and drag is a little higher on approach. The approach speed is slightly higher. The thrust on approach as to be a little higher due to the drag. But when you chop the throttle the model bleeds energy much better and makes predictable touchdowns and seems to stick to the runway nicer and handle better in the deceleration. I was using less runway consistently with crow and was working less on approach; a win-win for me. Plus a faster approach speed is typically ideal for any sort of wind or gust conditions as the flight controls tend to be more effective at the slightly higher approach speed. Higher approach thrust bodes well for spool up of course. A little reflex is good and a lot of reflex is NOT better, it's bad. Each wing will behave differently but it seems this model is pretty well tested on reflex values.

And I know of a few guys who still like drooped ailerons; we've discussed the merits of both but... I'm sold on crow all the way, it's no contest for me.