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Old 12-01-2005 | 09:32 AM
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LouW
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From: Moreland, GA
Default RE: Control surface trailing edges

Tall Paul is right on with this one. T.E. shape is pretty insignificant on our models.

To explain further, flutter requires two factors. There must be a forcing frequency. This occurs when the air leaves the trailing edge and is always there whatever the shape. The frequency depends on the speed and its intensity may be influenced slightly by shape.

Then the resonant frequency of the surface must be in the same range as forcing frequency. The resonant frequency depends on rigidity of the control surface and the linkage driving it. With a reasonably rigid surface and not much slop in the linkage, the resonant frequency is so far from the forcing frequency that flutter just won’t happen.

Rather than being overly concerned with the forcing frequency, which can only be affected slightly by configuration, pay most attention to system rigidity.

Use whatever trailing edge shape looks good to you, use good hinges and rigid surfaces, be careful to eliminate slop in the linkage, and you don’t have to worry about flutter.