REFLECTOR: elevator range - increased drag

John Tvedte JohnT at comp-sol.com
Mon Mar 20 12:07:16 CST 2006


Ron,
 
In our case with have 30 deg down - what we are wondering though is what down elevator results in max. lift - CL max - 
 
In our case - mechanically we are limited to 30 deg down - so - will being beyond 28 degs result in drag
 
From Chapter 3 (XL) NOTE: wording - minimum acceptable
The minimum acceptable deflection is as follows:

• Up Elevator: 24 degrees min (preferably up to 26 degrees)

• Down Elevator: 28 degrees (approximately 2-3/4” deflection from neutral)

------------------------

From Chapter 10 (XL) NOTE: wording - least

Full elevator deflection results in at least 26 degree trailing edge down elevator travel

and 23 degree trailing edge up elevator travel.

 
John

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org on behalf of Ron Brown 
	Sent: Mon 3/20/2006 11:56 AM 
	To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: elevator range - increased drag
	
	

	You'll need the recommended down travel.  Up is less important unless you
	are planning to fly upside down - not recommended.  Bottom line, make sure
	you have the down travel.
	
	Ronnie
	
	----- Original Message -----
	From: "John Tvedte" <JohnT at comp-sol.com>
	To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
	Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 12:28 PM
	Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: elevator range - increased drag
	
	
	> Keith,
	>
	> Exactly -
	>
	> Here are some inconsistant #'s in the manuals (for XL).
	>
	> Chapter 3 - states 24-26 deg. up, and 28 deg. down. total - 52-54 deg.
	> http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/03_XLG.PDF
	> <http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/03_XLG.PDF>
	>
	> Chapter 10 - states 23 deg. up and at least 26 deg. down - so total of at
	> least 49 deg.
	> http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/10_XLR.PDF
	> <http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/10_XLR.PDF>
	>
	> John
	>
	> -----Original Message-----
	> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org on behalf of Keith Hallsten
	> Sent: Thu 3/16/2006 11:51 AM
	> To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
	> Cc:
	> Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: elevator range - increased drag
	>
	>
	>
	> John,
	>
	>
	>
	> Yes, this was jus discussed within the last few days on the Canard
	> Aviators list with respect to the Long-EZ.  Excess down elevator will act
	> as a spoiler.  The elevator should have a stop so that maximum down travel
	> gives the canard-elevator system the maximum lift coefficient.
	> Unfortunately, I don’t know exactly what elevator deflection gives CL max
	> with the Velocity canard airfoil.
	>
	>
	>
	> Here’s an except from the “Canard Pusher” newsletter for Rutan Aircraft
	> Factory planes:
	>
	>
	>
	> CAUTION  CP 48
	> ELEVATOR CONTROL STOP POSITION.  This applies to VariEzes as well as
	> Long-EZs using the original GU canard (Roncz 1145MS not affected).  The
	> design philosophy of the EZ canard type airplane calls for the canard
	> airfoil to develop maximum lift coefficient (CLmax) at full aft stick.
	> Thus the elevator trailing edge down (nose up command) stop must be set
	> correctly.  On an accurately built GU canard/elevator, this will
	> usually be at approximately 22 degrees (trailing edge down).
	>
	> Recently, we have heard from a few builders, both VariEze and Long-EZ,
	> who have noticed stall characteristics that were not "per the
	> handbook".  In all cases, the cause was the elevator nose up stop set
	> to allow too much elevator travel.  If you have noticed any of the
	> following symptoms, check that you have no more than 22 degrees to 22-
	> 1/2 degrees trailing edge down travel on your elevator.
	>
	> 1)  Perform a 1-'g', wings level, straight ahead stall with sufficient
	> power to maintain level flight.  Slowly pull the control stick back to
	> full aft stick.  This should result in a nose high attitude with a
	> "pitch bucking" that can vary from hardly noticeable to quite vigorous,
	> perhaps "one buck" per second, with a deck angle change of several
	> degrees per "buck".  This is normal and will vary depending on the cg.
	> If, however, you notice a strong stall break (canard stalls) and the
	> nose comes down through the horizon until you are in a stable shallow
	> dive, even though you are still holding full aft stick, the speed may
	> build up to over 100 KIAS before the EZ begins to climb again.  This
	> very long period pitch "bucking" can be as long as 30 seconds per cycle
	> and is indicative of too much elevator trailing edge down travel.  You
	> can verify this by releasing back pressure on the stick during the nose
	> down phase of the cycle and gently raising the elevator trailing edge
	> perhaps 1/8" at a time.
	>
	> This should allow the canard to develop more lift and pitch the nose
	> up.  Try to determine by experimenting with elevator position, where
	> CLmax is, then set your elevator stop at that position.
	>
	> 2)  Another classic symptom may be noticed during a take off.  At full
	> aft stick, it may take a longer take-off roll to lift off that it does
	> at, say, slightly forward with the stick.  If you have ever noticed
	> this, it should be corrected.  Under certain circumstances, this could
	> become a serious problem.  A Long-EZ builder/flyer in Alaska,
	> attempting to take off on a rather short runway, discovered that he was
	> rapidly approaching the end of the runway and, even though he was
	> holding the stick all the way back, was not rotating.  Realizing he was
	> not going to make it, he backed off from the full aft stick stop and,
	> to his surprise, the airplane literally jumped into the air!  Again,
	> his trailing edge down elevator stop was set for too much travel.  This
	> same scenario has also been reported to us by a San Diego VariEze
	> pilot.
	>
	> What causes this?  If the elevator stop is set so that at full aft
	> stick your canard can develop its maximum possible lift, this will
	> result in the lowest possible rotation speed for take-off and a good,
	> clean canard stall (limiting the main wing angle of attack) or classic
	> "per the book" stall at full aft stick in flight.  If, however, you
	> have set your elevator stop for too much travel (perhaps you thought
	> you could lower your rotation speed?!!) what happens is that you are
	> now on the "back side" of the lift curve, lift is less than maximum,
	> and the elevator is creating lots of drag.  The result may be running
	> off the end of the runway.  Keep in mind that this condition could be
	> aggravated even further if it were raining.
	>
	>
	>
	> Keith Hallsten
	>
	>
	>
	>
	>
	>
	>  _____
	>
	>
	> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
	> Behalf Of John Tvedte
	> Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 8:37 AM
	> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
	> Subject: REFLECTOR: elevator range - increased drag
	>
	>
	>
	> All,
	>
	>
	>
	> Factory Spec (minimum) is for 26 degrees down and 23 degrees up or 49
	> degrees total.
	>
	>
	>
	> Our Elevator has 30 degrees down and 28 degrees up or 58 degrees total.
	>
	>
	>
	> I am wondering if anyone knows if having too much elevator range can
	> result in getting the canard in the "back side" of the lift curve, lift is
	> less than maximum and the elevator is creating lots of drag?
	>
	>
	>
	> Wondering if I can get a survey of what people are getting for their down
	> and up elevator travel - flying airplanes greatly appreciated?
	>
	>
	>
	> Thanks,
	>
	>
	>
	> John
	>
	>
	
	
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