You all are working under a bad assumption. Split flaps work almost identically to plain flaps as far as drag AND lift. Especially at low angles of deployment, such as takeoff settings, there is very little drag increase and essentially the same lift gains.

Split flaps may actually be harder to build than just lopping off the TE and hinging it. If you want lots of drag, do what sailplaners do. Flaps down 90 deg = lots of drag for any flap type. Then reflex ailerons for airbrake/crow/butterfly/whatever.

Haha! NO. Actually I have a weekend job as the Easter Bunny at the mall. Here come the jokes
Cafeenman: As mentioned earlier, the glider thing was sort of an after thought, and you're right. That's most likely not enough power to do the job. What the design started out as was an old-timer-esque monster motor glider, and that is probably what it will end up as. The more I think about that idea the more I like it and the more I think the glider tug was a stupid thing to try and mix in there.
So- no body ever build up big ribs before? Nobody knows how to do it? I might get better results from that question in the Giants forum. My searches have come up empty unfortunately. I was thinking that at least Bruce might know how to do it. Genius that fellow.

Lomcevak - I've never built up ribs, but I've seen it done. I wouldn't bother with it just to save weight because I don't think you will save any. I would do it for "artful" purposes or if I were using scale construction, but otherwise it's not worth the effort.

If you decide to do it, then build a jig that is the outline of the rib. Glue it to a base and then glue in jig pieces to align the bracing inside. Let's see... 30 ribs x 15 pieces each = lots of bracing to cut. Have fun!

Built up ribs are now commonplace on many Chinese ARFS--
strength to weight is better but the real reason is that they can use firm balsa and thru laser cutting processes used, make best use of material.
The use of latest manufacturing equipment allows some bold iprovements over the more commonly used structures.
At lower costs and with better accuracy.
many ofthese rib structures are simple notched upper /lower pieces and verticals which fit --others are dove tailed .
the structure you select will make a huge difference in the strength to weight you can acheive.

Well, after a complete revision, I am almost done scribbling out the final details again. Going to be built up, mostly stick built, and favors the old-timer designs. I will start a build thread in the Giants forum when I start construction. It will be under "The nameless plane build". Why? because I've yet to come up with a name for this thing. See you in the build thread.
-Steve