Trying a different approach to a STOL

Scotto

Elite member
I think something Ive learned from trying to fly very slow is what looks like a tip stall is more often a loss of yaw stability. I think my planes tails are "stalling" before the wings. So I am trying to correct roll at low speed with throttle and rudder instead of bashing the aileron stick.
I would like to see more pictures of your wing and its slats/slots.
 

L Edge

Master member
I think something Ive learned from trying to fly very slow is what looks like a tip stall is more often a loss of yaw stability. I think my planes tails are "stalling" before the wings. So I am trying to correct roll at low speed with throttle and rudder instead of bashing the aileron stick.
I would like to see more pictures of your wing and its slats/slots.

Will do. Let me finish up on my A-10 and I will.
 

Piotrsko

Master member
Perhaps your mains are behind the CG. Difficult to know from the story but slightly forward gear tends to prevent nose over. Tailwheel too high? If youre sure the wing is true then suspect torque for the right turn tip drag.
 

L Edge

Master member
Perhaps your mains are behind the CG. Difficult to know from the story but slightly forward gear tends to prevent nose over. Tailwheel too high? If youre sure the wing is true then suspect torque for the right turn tip drag.


Thanks for your wisdom. I agree with you on all points. It is nice to know what I have to look out for on takeoff. Had a bipe that the LG was too far aft. Same problem.

I'm stuck with what I got so I had left turn tip drag stuff as well. So you re-enforced what I am going to do.

For takeoff and hopefully a 1-2 ft altitude short run and successful landing, I will have 5 cups of coffee and will concentrate on rudder/elevator/throttle management. I am going to look for 20-30 winds(glad I put brakes on) and when I tickle the flight envelope. When it feels stable (hopefully hovering), will let it rip.

Like to hear from you.
 

L Edge

Master member
I think something Ive learned from trying to fly very slow is what looks like a tip stall is more often a loss of yaw stability. I think my planes tails are "stalling" before the wings. So I am trying to correct roll at low speed with throttle and rudder instead of bashing the aileron stick.
I would like to see more pictures of your wing and its slats/slots.

The wing on this project or some of my other stuff?
In fact, I have one you can chug along doing high alpha, hover in the wind, and handle gusty winds with ease. (have video)

Try this exercise.
Take the plane up 4 crash heights.
Throttle back and level, add elevator and aileron(no rudder) into a high alpha mode. Keep flaring slowly, plane will roll over and dive one way or other.
Go back up to same altitude after recovery and do it again. Plane in most cases will roll over same way.
Now climb up again, do the same except now as you slow down in high alpha, add opposite rudder to counteract roll, and slow it down(add more rudder) until it it rolls over and drops out.
Now game on, do it until it now is comfortable and keep it a tic away from stalling.

Heresa video;
If I use ailerons enough, plane rolls over to move right. Imagine adding too much aileron while doing a flare or high alpha near stall.
I use rudder, elevator, throttle management and a small amount of aileron to move from one side to the other. If I used a lot of aileron, wouldn't the plane roll over? So it becomes the rudder that allows it to move side to side.
My imaginary cube is 20x20x20ft to fly in. Run the speed of the video at .25 and watch the rudder, elevator, throttle change and see how little the aileron is used. After awhile, you will sense(feel) when you are near rollover.

 

L Edge

Master member
Back to this project-- Got to the point where I can level tail and keep going, but lifts off and tips forward or rolls left.. Moved CG forward, same result at 25% cord. Then changed prop from a 9 x 3/8 to a 9-7 and same thing happened. Played with flap positions.

Realized ground speed has not changed. My next try will be to get a larger motor and see if the extra thrust overcomes the high alpha drag of the wing when the tail is level. At least I still have a vehicle to continue to explore.
 

RossFPV

Well-known member
Back to this project-- Got to the point where I can level tail and keep going, but lifts off and tips forward or rolls left.. Moved CG forward, same result at 25% cord. Then changed prop from a 9 x 3/8 to a 9-7 and same thing happened. Played with flap positions.

Realized ground speed has not changed. My next try will be to get a larger motor and see if the extra thrust overcomes the high alpha drag of the wing when the tail is level. At least I still have a vehicle to continue to explore.
Could be thrust angle, try giving it some right thrust angle. You may have noticed that some ft planes have some angle built into the power pod