"Ideally the horizontal stabilizer provides neutral lift unless the elevator is deflected." I disagree.

"Only by moving that stab into its zero lift position will the force be neutralized." I disagree.

Here is why: For the conventional set up with static stability, a tail generating a "zero force" or "zero lift" might as well not be there. On the contrary, we need it there to generate a downward force during steady state flight (straight and level) to counter the lift being generated by the wing, which is acting slightly behind the cg. Since the tail has a longer moment arm, the force can be significantly smaller, but must still act downward (opposite direction to what the wing is producing). Adjusting the amount of this downward force (via the elevator position) allows us to change the aoa of the wing, and increase or decrease lift.

I'm not talking about 3-d flight where the wing is rendered almost useless in favor of thrust.

Kurt


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