ORIGINAL: gsoav8r
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
They sure aren't for every plane...
I think you nailed the root issue right there.
Years ago I too thought they were just fun to play with. Flip them on and do some neat tricks then turn them off before trying to land to avoid any nasty slow flight characteristics. Every plane I had at the time had full length ailerons and what I didnt know was how flapperons created wash-in.
My thoughts today though are a little different.
1. I agree that newbies should leave them alone. For the most part I think you should avoid flapperons on any plane that has full length strip ailerons. Unless your just doing some fun-fly stunts. The wash-in is horrible when trying to land.
2. If you have a plane that has 3/4 length ailerons, as measured starting at the fuse, then flapperons could be a huge benefit for landing heavy planes. Because the ailerons are short of the wing tip by a fair margin then the dreaded wash-in problem is avoided. Flapperons are typically larger in area vs. normal flaps so you dont need nearly the amount of throw to get noticable lift or drag. Also, of the two planes I have setup with flapperons, it took me several test flights to find the balance of lift vs. drag thats comfortable for my flying style. Both planes also have a flap-elevator mix to compensate for the pitching down.
About forgot. Because one of the planes I have is borderline needing flaps or not, Ive found the flapperons to be most beneficial in winds less than 7mph. Anything higher theyre just not required.
Cheers,
James
My CG Extra turns into a complete hand full if I use them, my Hots is a kick with them in the wind. Where I have run into trouble with them is on a calm day and I forget I have them on and try to land. The Hots hits a slow speed and just stalls right then and there. It does give me warning but if I'm not thinking about what I'm doing I forget what it is telling me. I have bent the LG more then once over the years when I forget the switch!!