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Old 05-01-2010 | 04:28 AM
  #10  
thailazer's Avatar
thailazer
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,593
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
From: Liberty Lake, WA
Default RE: Aileron Flutter

After looking at the flutter issue, I've found out a lot, and here are some things I can do:

-Add damping (or loss) to the system. (things like dash-pots or simple friction plates)
-Move the CG of the aileron forward. (this is why counter-balances work)
-Reduce mass of the aileron. (hard to do)
-Add dominant force vectors. (wing mounted servos or spades)

I've got some experience in stability analysis and the spring action of the aileron torque rod is my major problem. It adds energy to the system, works the opposite of damping, and allows the flutter to start and maintain. That spring action puts the system on the wrong side of the S-plane stability-wise.

Didn't want to add wing-mounted ailerons at this point but vow to add them to every fast ship I build from now on! And, since I have never tried spades, am going to go that route because they look cool! It will accomplish moving the CG of the aileron forward as well as adding a dominant force vector. (actually aerodynamically counterbalancing the aileron forces required somewhat, and I am hoping the positive feedback does not allow the aileron torque rod to load up in torsion.)

This was surprisingly easy to accomplish with 1/8" ply, and I had them mounted in under two hours.

Photos below. Test flights this coming week.

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