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Old 05-21-2002 | 01:42 PM
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billf
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From: Hudson, WI
Default Forward swept wing?

Hello Ronnie...
Just to add a couple of cents worth:
I flew an "Inversion" for the first time yesterday. This kit was available a couple of years ago. The wings are swept forward at about 45 degrees. Airfoil is symmetrical and the instructions suggest anywhere from zero to plus 4 degrees of dihedral. The less dihedral the more acrobatic, says the instructions. The plane flew pretty well with plus 3 degrees.

I noticed an interesting feature: While in level flight the tail would "waggle" without any apparent input from the controls...just as someone said about the V-tailed Bonanza. Perhaps that is why the vertical stab/rudder appears quite large on the Inversion. While in a bank the plane seems very sensitive to "up" elevator--it really jerks around quickly....probably because the forward wing sort of "catches the air when the angle of attack is increased.

It was not possible to stall the plane. With engine at idle and full up elevator (maybe it needs more) the plane descended in an almost level attitude, probably at about a 30 degree angle. Thus the lack of tip stall was clearly demonstrated.

As far as looking different...that is right! It takes a bit of getting used to as far as orientation in flight is concerned. Plus a lot of joking about "getting the wing on backward", "Does it fly backward?", etc.

Bill