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Old 09-03-2010 | 10:09 AM
  #33  
nhblacksmith
 
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Lancaster, NH
Default RE: What are Flapperons???

Certainly flaperons are not for every plane, nor every pilot but I have flown them extensively over the past two years on a Kadet LT40.  Before setting them up, I modified the ailerons from approximately 3/4" wide by full length (as supplied by Sig) to nearly 2 inches wide by full length.  They are operated by a 3 position switch on the radio-normal, 15 degrees down flaps, and 30 degrees down flaps.  They only tend to tip stall if you are flying extremely slow (walking speed) but the ailerons retain enough authority even to correct a stall at low altitudes.  In a stiff breeze the plane will land vertically from 100' or more.  Just to show off, I deploy the flaps, set the plane on the end of one of our 7' set up tables and gunning it from an idle, the plane is airborne before the end of the table, even on a calm day.  Last week, I goofed and set it on one of the 4' tables.  It dropped as it came off the end but still flew before hitting the ground.

One of our better pilots was stunned when he did three rolling circles with my plane in just over the 100' width of our runway.  He said he had never been able to do that with a trainer.

I nearly always use the flaps on landing but sometimes I land with the wind to effectively slow the plane a bit.  Otherwise it just floats on past the end of the runway.  When deployed at full throttle and at altitude, the plane rises dramatically but without pitch or roll change.  Backing off the throttle first just slows it down when they are deployed.  One day, just for fun, I was able to make four takeoffs to 4 or 5 feet and full stop landings in the 400' length of our runway.

It does take practice but IMHO is well worth the effort.  I have a number of other, faster, planes but this is still my favorite.  This winter I plan to add droop tips and leading edge slats in the quest for the ultimate slow-flying plane.  Don't be afraid to experiment!