ORIGINAL: BillinIndiana
Here's what I read about flutter ... ''<span style=''color: rgb(1, 1, 1); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; ''>Another misconception is that gaps cause flutter. This is another whole article in itself, but for the sake of this writing, just accept the fact that gaps are the cause of flutter about as much as my dog is responsible for WWII.''
www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm<br type=''_moz'' /></span>
Yup completely true.
Unfortunately many of the more experience members repeat often heard erroneous advice.... much like the "fuel stays at the back of the tank, myth".
Flutter is NOT caused because of a large gap. In fact unless the gap is fairly ( or more rightly "extremely" ) large, there is almost no air traveling through the gaps. Wind tunnel videos confirm this.
Sealing hinges help to reduce flutter NOT because of air traveling through these rather thin areas, but because the material helps to stiffen the control surface and wing. In turn that changes or reduces any harmonic tendencies. So while it is not a bad idea to seal the hinge, there are many other far more effective techniques to reduce flutter.
It is not a bad idea to reduce the hinge gap as much as possible, but this should never be done to the point that it causes binding or restricted max throws.
I miss Minnflyer...