ORIGINAL: wsmalley
Impressive operation, Dan! I have an 8UAF, so I can attempt to copy your configuration. How soon do you think it will be before your ready for a flight test? My only comment would be whether or not you could, or should consider, adding a delayed response(slowing) time to the LEF deployment/retraction. Of course, with a proven airplane like yours, it should be easier to test the effects in the air. I don't know of much testing out there on the effects of the LEF's to know what one can expect. This summer, I placed some pieces of thread at various places along the chord and used a floor fan to see what they (the threads) would do. With the slow airflow of a fan passing over and under the wing, there was quite a noticeable change in the pattern of the flow. How that would translate to actual flying I don't know, but I think the created lift would be quite noticeable. As I recall, the airflow shifted back which I suspect would create some pitching. I thought about cranking up the leafblower to test the flow but never did. BTW, what model servo are using on the LEF's.
Thanks!
Upon reflection, I realized I still need to use EM2 because once I dedicate channel 1 (aileron) to flaperons, I lose the channel for use with elevons. So, I'll be using all three VeeTail Omni's after all.
I'm shooting to have it flying by the end of the year.
Yes, thankfully, the Omni's allow a delay. I've thought about whether I should slow them down or not. I probably eventually will, but initial tests will have them slam up and down, if for no other reason than if I don't like how they're trimmed, I want them up and out of the way --pronto! All joking aside, once I have them trimmed, I probably will add a delay to them.
Because I'm going to have several sources for potential roll control, I've worked out a testing/trimming schedule.
First flights will be made without LEFs or flaperons, just ailerons. The elevators will be programmed to act as simple elevators. This way, any roll trim will be concentrated on just the ailerons. Once they're trimmed, I'll reprogram the elevators to act as elevons, then trim roll again. Next, I'll add LEFs and re-trim roll as needed. Finally, I'll lower flaperons and do a final trim.
I had thought about putting tufts on the test rig, but when it came right down to it, I dropped the idea. I already had a pretty good idea of what the airflow was going to do, so I ended up just testing for proper operation and to see if I could get a feel for pitching moments.
My LEFs are pretty small ( 1" x 14.5" ), so I'm using Hitec HS-81MG servos (one each).