Mike,

Do you find the Fusion style ailerons less prone to flutter than the flat stock style typically used on the profile planes? Seems to me they should be stiffer and the same weight or less, both of which typically improve flutter problems.


Thanks,
Mark

Mark, Mike is out of town thru today. Prolly best he answers this question.

OK, I will see what he says. Anybody else with experience on the Fusions is welcome to step in, as well.

A second part to this is, are the tapered ailerons more effective than the flat ones? I believe it says so in the manual and the recommended throws are a lot less than typical for 3D profiles. Any comments on this as well?


Mark

Airfoiled ailerons or any control surface for that matter is more effective than the flat ones given a typical airfoil wing in front of it. The ailerons on the Fusions are way more effective than same size flat ones. I proved this during testing and was really surprised how fast the Fusion would roll. Also less prone to flutter as flat surfaces are more prone. Biggest causes of flutter are slop and/or flex in the surfaces. So your statement is absolutely correct Mark.

Thanks for the info, Mike. I suspected as such. I am tinkering with a profile plane that uses an airfoil section like your Fusion and I was hoping it would have a wider speed range than the typical profile, which sounds like it should be the case. I didn't mention it, but a more effective aileron profile also reduces flutter by allowing more mechanical advantage in the linkage due to less total deflection being required. Now to clean out my garage to get some building space...


Mark