RCU Forums - View Single Post - Reduced Landing Flap in Strong Wind
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Old 06-09-2013 | 11:11 PM
  #5  
siclick33
 
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: York, UNITED KINGDOM
Default RE: Reduced Landing Flap in Strong Wind

The first stage of flap increases lift a lot and drag a bit. Landing flap adds a lot of drag and a little more lift. If you're suffering from 'floating' in high winds do you not need more flap (not less)?

Aileron response is improved by increased airspeed and this can still be achieved with full flap. I don't know of any full size aircraft that use part flap for landing in strong winds (although I concede that there may be some). The benefit of the 'free airspeed' is usually considered to be a lower ground speed on landing rather than the option to use less flap.

I can understand that there may some issues with our perception due to the fact that we may find it more difficult to judge our approach speed from outside the model than a full size pilot would when sitting in it but, from an aerodynamic point of view, I still lean towards using full flap no matter what the wind speed is.

I'm not criticising anyone for doing anything different and if it works for you then great (a bit like the crow/no crow argument).