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Old 02-17-2004 | 11:39 PM
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tommy321
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From: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Default RE: Define some terms for me

Another excellent online source for aerodynamic stuff is here:

http://www.av8n.com/how/

it's basically an online text book. I've found that it's one of the most readable texts I've ever seen (including all the one's I've bought over the years).

The section on pitch stability is especially good.
http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/aoastab.html#sec-teeter

I especially like his comment on how the empennage of the aircraft DOES NOT work like the feathers of an arrow.

The amount of pitch stability you'll have is more closely related to the location of the CG than the amount of pitching moment your wing is making. On all aircraft there will be a CG location where there iS NO restoring moment caused by a change in AOA. This point can be thought of as the aerodynamic center of the entire aircraft (generally this point is aft of the wing aerodynamic center)... Putting your CG at this location is great for doing 3D aerobatics, but not good if you want a pleasant sunday flier.

FYI: Aerodynamic center is the point where the pitching moment is constant with AOA.

Tom