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Old 09-11-2008 | 08:09 AM
  #59  
MaxThrottle
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From: Barrie, ON, CANADA
Default RE: Great Planes Reactor 160?

No arguement from me. Like I said... they could have made this a single.

Note though the SU-26 wing area of 1762 sq in and the slightly more than standard 1/4 size airleron to the 1556 sq in 1/3 size aileron of the Reactor. The area of the Ailerons come out almost the same. But the SU-26 is a 21-24 lb bird where as the Reactor is a 14-17 lb bird. That a lot of structure to handle that difference and the Reactor is a thin wing foil design making it a very big thin aileron.

To structurally support that airleron over a much wider span than a rudder but not adding weight via structural lumber or composites to avoid twisting at the ends of the aileron tips .....
It was likely just easier and less expensive FOR THEM to make it a dual Servo aileron than to build around the problem. UNfortunately that defers the expense to you the end user.

A Rudder to a Aileron is not just how much servo power you put in. Rudders are structurally stronger... shorter, thick cord etc. Rudders can handle the twist forces without being beefed up. The main reason too for more servo on a Rudder is its forward profile in full deflection is usually more than that of an aileron. With the Reactor again the aileron is bigger making the profile larger needing almost as much in full deflection which works out to our flying enjoyment.

Still by adding two servos you add about 6oz. That's why I said they could have gone with one but it would have taken a little more design/structure/building for them to have done this on so thin a member. That's probably why page 8 of the manual says, "DO NOT use only one aileron servo per wing, no matter what the torque rating." The Airlerons just aren't built to handle a single hard point.