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Control surface configuration....Ok
Ok,
Here's a question that popped into my head today. I currently am setup for aileron and elevator control for my 1/8th F-16. I realize there are alternate configurations available as well. I've read a bit about using elevons, which does seem appealing since the ailerons can be used as flaps. What's the consensus on this vs. an elev/ail setup? I saw a vid on youtube where a pilot was performing control surface checks before his flight. He proceeded to check elevators then switch over to elevons... Is this ever performed in the air? Perhaps as an approach and landing config? What's the best way to go? This is my first jet. Thanks, Pete |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
Pete,
Most of the people I have talked to prefer the elevons set-up. They say they really can't tell the difference between elevons and ailerons. Plus being able to use flaps would probably be nice. I'll be watching this thread too since I have the large F-16 on the way... Chad |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
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With elevons it flies ok but nowhere near as good as aileron/elevators.
With elevons, when you make hard turns that require a lot of elevator trim, and you dial in some "aileron", you loose "up" trim. If you want to make 4 point rolls with elevons, it will be very difficult to maintain altitude since you will loose elevator trim as soon as you dial in "aileron". I am 300% behind separate controls. I have flown F-16's many times so I can clearily tell the difference. Some people may say that tailerons behave better during crosswinds. Nope, both fly just as good as you can expect. However, if simplicity is more important to you, or you don't care too much about precision, tailerons is still a very viable option. My advise: keep whatever setup comes stock with your kit. Not worth the effort to change it to either configuration. These are some of my F-16's, both aileron and taileron: (The Cermark with the Edwards schem has been the most fun so far, doesn't get any simpler than that!!) |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
For me an Elevon roll is sloppy and the turning stinks.
As Falcon said.....both fly just fine and its not worth re-working the kit but if you have me use em. And from what I've heard not many of the F-16's require flaps on landing. |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
On my f 18 and scorpion i have elevons
on the f18 the are used for landing and slow flight because the ailerons are not that effective in your application i would use them for landing if you want to use the ailerons for flaps, but turn the aileron function off when you turn the elevons on. reason being with the ailerons as flaps you want them down all the time, if not when you make a correction you lose massive amounts of lift on one wing and it gets pretty hairy. give it a try you might like it . it may not work worth a flip. |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
ORIGINAL: FalconWings With elevons it flies ok but nowhere near as good as aileron/elevators. With elevons, when you make hard turns that require a lot of elevator trim, and you dial in some "aileron", you loose "up" trim. If you want to make 4 point rolls with elevons, it will be very difficult to maintain altitude since you will loose elevator trim as soon as you dial in "aileron". I am 300% behind separate controls. I have flown F-16's many times so I can clearily tell the difference. Some people may say that tailerons behave better during crosswinds. Nope, both fly just as good as you can expect. However, if simplicity is more important to you, or you don't care too much about precision, tailerons is still a very viable option. My advise: keep whatever setup comes stock with your kit. Not worth the effort to change it to either configuration. These are some of my F-16's, both aileron and taileron: (The Cermark with the Edwards schem has been the most fun so far, doesn't get any simpler than that!!) .....I'm kidding of course. Thanks for the advice, I will take heed! |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
What can I say, I'm a fool for Falcons!! :D
Going big and custom on the next one. Bigger-better. |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
to be honest, most f-16s dont seems to have the "need" for flaps. the f-16 airframe has no tip stall tendancies, so getting the nose up high is easy. using regular flaps without leading edge flaps moves the center of pressure back preventing the nose high attitude that the f-16 likes. it might even come in faster with the flaps than without with the nose high.
when it comes to ailerons however, i do recommend them. like said above, you wont be nearly as precise without ailerons, not to mention the trim issue. the real one has them for a reason. |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
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ORIGINAL: Spencer K to be honest, most f-16s dont seems to have the "need" for flaps. the f-16 airframe has no tip stall tendancies, so getting the nose up high is easy. using regular flaps without leading edge flaps moves the center of pressure back preventing the nose high attitude that the f-16 likes. it might even come in faster with the flaps than without with the nose high. when it comes to ailerons however, i do recommend them. like said above, you wont be nearly as precise without ailerons, not to mention the trim issue. the real one has them for a reason. Ah yes.....full scale has ailerons! |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
I flew my SM F-16 this past season with tailerons. It took some tweaking but I finally got the roll "half-way" decent. I'm still not satisfied and as others have said it just doesn't feel very precise to me. So I'm ready to cut the ailerons loose and see if there really is a difference. Unfortunately it will probably be Spring before i get to test it [:o]
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RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
ORIGINAL: sweetpea01 ORIGINAL: Spencer K to be honest, most f-16s dont seems to have the "need" for flaps. the f-16 airframe has no tip stall tendancies, so getting the nose up high is easy. using regular flaps without leading edge flaps moves the center of pressure back preventing the nose high attitude that the f-16 likes. it might even come in faster with the flaps than without with the nose high. when it comes to ailerons however, i do recommend them. like said above, you wont be nearly as precise without ailerons, not to mention the trim issue. the real one has them for a reason. Ah yes.....full scale has ailerons! |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
ORIGINAL: FalconWings ORIGINAL: sweetpea01 ORIGINAL: Spencer K to be honest, most f-16s dont seems to have the "need" for flaps. the f-16 airframe has no tip stall tendancies, so getting the nose up high is easy. using regular flaps without leading edge flaps moves the center of pressure back preventing the nose high attitude that the f-16 likes. it might even come in faster with the flaps than without with the nose high. when it comes to ailerons however, i do recommend them. like said above, you wont be nearly as precise without ailerons, not to mention the trim issue. the real one has them for a reason. Ah yes.....full scale has ailerons! |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
[/quote]
Nope. I'm an Electronic Warfare Officer and I have time in the B-52H/F-16D/F-15D and soon EA-6B (if they ever schedule me that is) [/quote] If you don't hurry up and get scheduled in the side seat of the Prowler, you will be in the back seat of the Growler. Roy |
RE: Control surface configuration....Ok
I finally got issued/fitted with my Navy Flight gear right before Xmas break. I'm done with backseat sims and have done a few front seat sims.
I expect to be "on the schedule" in the next month or so. If it was as easy as not getting scheduled and then being able to fly the growler I'd make that happen! |
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