Blowing in the wind
10-15-2007 | 10:12 AM
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From: Newton Falls, OH
Blowing in the wind
I have a easysport 40 from greatplanes,It does not handle to good in the wind. I was wondering if the wing thickness has anything to do with it.The wings are about twice as thick as my pulse xt (which I've have not flown yet).
10-15-2007 | 01:11 PM
#4
RE: Blowing in the wind
Thicker wings give you more of a speed envelope. The EasySport is a semi-symmetrical wing, which can cause it to balloon in a gust. And with a generous dihedral it will lift the upwing wing in a cross-wind very much like a trainer you have to be on top of that when flying in windy conditions. Every plane is affected; just some more than others.
10-15-2007 | 02:45 PM
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From: Poughkeepsie, NY
RE: Blowing in the wind
Flat bottom airfoils are more susceptible to gusts, (see explanation regarding the thicker wing below).
High winged aircraft are more susceptible to cross-winds.
The wind catches the fuselage under the windward side of the wing, creating a higher pressure on that side causing the plane to “steer” with the direction of the wind.
The thickness of a wing can affect the high wind performance because of the lower stall speeds. For example, a plane that stalls at 14mph will be affected more by a 7mph wind than a plane that stalls at 21mph. The wind is ½ the stall speed of the slower model, but only 1/3 the stall speed of the faster model.
Any basic trainer has a near flat bottom airfoil. The sport planes are usually semi-symmetrical making them better in windy situations.
The shoulder wing configuration of the EasySport should be better than the trainer, but it will still be affected.
Yes, there are a LOT of other factors that affect windy flight characteristics, and they are closely tied together, but these are the basics.
The best bet is practice with your trainer in windy conditions. Once you can handle that, you should be all set with the sport plane.
Bob
High winged aircraft are more susceptible to cross-winds.
The wind catches the fuselage under the windward side of the wing, creating a higher pressure on that side causing the plane to “steer” with the direction of the wind.
The thickness of a wing can affect the high wind performance because of the lower stall speeds. For example, a plane that stalls at 14mph will be affected more by a 7mph wind than a plane that stalls at 21mph. The wind is ½ the stall speed of the slower model, but only 1/3 the stall speed of the faster model.
Any basic trainer has a near flat bottom airfoil. The sport planes are usually semi-symmetrical making them better in windy situations.
The shoulder wing configuration of the EasySport should be better than the trainer, but it will still be affected.
Yes, there are a LOT of other factors that affect windy flight characteristics, and they are closely tied together, but these are the basics.
The best bet is practice with your trainer in windy conditions. Once you can handle that, you should be all set with the sport plane.
Bob
