Why were the first airplanes “backwards”?Why is the Tu-144 the only commercial airplane with canard configuration?Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital?Why did moving the CG aft on the Wright Brother's plane improve handling?why are there no production canard GA aircraft?Why are the cockpit controls of airplanes so complicated?Why are airplanes riveted and not screwed?Why do airplanes not have manual transmission?Why were the specifications of the Pipistrel Panthera downgraded?Why don't airplanes have smoking cabins?Why do airplanes have rounded windows?Why are ARINC labels are transmitted LSB first?When airplanes first got windows, what material was used?Why is stabilator used in some small airplanes?Why does the DC 4 airplane not tip backwards?
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Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital?
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Why were the first airplanes “backwards”?
Why is the Tu-144 the only commercial airplane with canard configuration?Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital?Why did moving the CG aft on the Wright Brother's plane improve handling?why are there no production canard GA aircraft?Why are the cockpit controls of airplanes so complicated?Why are airplanes riveted and not screwed?Why do airplanes not have manual transmission?Why were the specifications of the Pipistrel Panthera downgraded?Why don't airplanes have smoking cabins?Why do airplanes have rounded windows?Why are ARINC labels are transmitted LSB first?When airplanes first got windows, what material was used?Why is stabilator used in some small airplanes?Why does the DC 4 airplane not tip backwards?
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$begingroup$
In the question Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital? the accepted answer states "Surfaces behind the CoG act as stabilisers, keeping the nose pointing forward. An aeroplane has vertical and horizontal tail surfaces at the back just for this purpose."
I agree that this seems straightforward, to a layman (me). So why then were so many of the first aircraft built 'backwards'. Taking a look at the Wright Flyer
Image (C) Bay Images
as an example. There are many other examples from the earliest days of aviation. Why did many put the elevators up front, thereby destabilizing the whole thing?
aircraft-design
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In the question Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital? the accepted answer states "Surfaces behind the CoG act as stabilisers, keeping the nose pointing forward. An aeroplane has vertical and horizontal tail surfaces at the back just for this purpose."
I agree that this seems straightforward, to a layman (me). So why then were so many of the first aircraft built 'backwards'. Taking a look at the Wright Flyer
Image (C) Bay Images
as an example. There are many other examples from the earliest days of aviation. Why did many put the elevators up front, thereby destabilizing the whole thing?
aircraft-design
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Could you provide some of themany other examples?
$endgroup$
– zymhan
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@zymhan: 14bis by Santos-Dumont, Voisin - between 1903 and 1907 all successful motorised aircraft had the horizontal "tail" up front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
That's a huge horizontal stabiliser!
$endgroup$
– Koyovis
30 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In the question Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital? the accepted answer states "Surfaces behind the CoG act as stabilisers, keeping the nose pointing forward. An aeroplane has vertical and horizontal tail surfaces at the back just for this purpose."
I agree that this seems straightforward, to a layman (me). So why then were so many of the first aircraft built 'backwards'. Taking a look at the Wright Flyer
Image (C) Bay Images
as an example. There are many other examples from the earliest days of aviation. Why did many put the elevators up front, thereby destabilizing the whole thing?
aircraft-design
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
$endgroup$
In the question Is the location of an aircraft spoiler really that vital? the accepted answer states "Surfaces behind the CoG act as stabilisers, keeping the nose pointing forward. An aeroplane has vertical and horizontal tail surfaces at the back just for this purpose."
I agree that this seems straightforward, to a layman (me). So why then were so many of the first aircraft built 'backwards'. Taking a look at the Wright Flyer
Image (C) Bay Images
as an example. There are many other examples from the earliest days of aviation. Why did many put the elevators up front, thereby destabilizing the whole thing?
aircraft-design
aircraft-design
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
CGCampbellCGCampbell
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
5,80310 gold badges51 silver badges102 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Could you provide some of themany other examples?
$endgroup$
– zymhan
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@zymhan: 14bis by Santos-Dumont, Voisin - between 1903 and 1907 all successful motorised aircraft had the horizontal "tail" up front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
That's a huge horizontal stabiliser!
$endgroup$
– Koyovis
30 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Could you provide some of themany other examples?
$endgroup$
– zymhan
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@zymhan: 14bis by Santos-Dumont, Voisin - between 1903 and 1907 all successful motorised aircraft had the horizontal "tail" up front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
That's a huge horizontal stabiliser!
$endgroup$
– Koyovis
30 mins ago
$begingroup$
Could you provide some of the
many other examples?$endgroup$
– zymhan
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Could you provide some of the
many other examples?$endgroup$
– zymhan
7 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@zymhan: 14bis by Santos-Dumont, Voisin - between 1903 and 1907 all successful motorised aircraft had the horizontal "tail" up front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
@zymhan: 14bis by Santos-Dumont, Voisin - between 1903 and 1907 all successful motorised aircraft had the horizontal "tail" up front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
That's a huge horizontal stabiliser!
$endgroup$
– Koyovis
30 mins ago
$begingroup$
That's a huge horizontal stabiliser!
$endgroup$
– Koyovis
30 mins ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I am not sure you are correct that most early planes placed the elevator at the front. For example, Otto Lilienthal's gliders had the tail at the rear.
The Wright brothers were strongly influenced by Lilienthal's work, but were also very anxious to avoid his fate, and believed they would obtain control he lacked by placing the elevator at the front (amongst other things).
It turned out that their Flyer was in fact very unstable, and difficult to control well - but controllable enough.
They also apparently felt that a tail at the rear would be more susceptible to landing damage.
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
"Backwards" is relative, there are modern aircraft that have forward placed elevator i.e. canard designs that fly quite successfully
(source)
As for why its not more popular you can read up more on that here and here as well as in the answers to lots of questions on this site.
As for why the rights did it this way, NASA offers an explanation
The placement of the elevators at the front of aircraft is rather
unique for the Wright flyer. Modern aircraft typically have the
elevator at the rear, attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The
Wright's placed their elevator at the front to provide protection to
the pilot in the event of a crash. (The pilot of this aircraft lies
next to the engine on the lower wing.) But there is also a static
performance advantage when the elevator is placed forward. Lifting
wings have a natural tendency to flip tail over nose because of the
way the pressure is distributed.
So they were not necessarily backwards so much as different considerations were taken under advisement during the design.
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's not destabilizing to put the elevator or horizontal "tail" in front, as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward that a large portion of the wing itself is well behind the CG and effectively acting as a tail. The fact that the forward elevator or canard is trimmed to generate positive lift, is what allows you to place the CG well forward in this manner.
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I am not sure you are correct that most early planes placed the elevator at the front. For example, Otto Lilienthal's gliders had the tail at the rear.
The Wright brothers were strongly influenced by Lilienthal's work, but were also very anxious to avoid his fate, and believed they would obtain control he lacked by placing the elevator at the front (amongst other things).
It turned out that their Flyer was in fact very unstable, and difficult to control well - but controllable enough.
They also apparently felt that a tail at the rear would be more susceptible to landing damage.
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am not sure you are correct that most early planes placed the elevator at the front. For example, Otto Lilienthal's gliders had the tail at the rear.
The Wright brothers were strongly influenced by Lilienthal's work, but were also very anxious to avoid his fate, and believed they would obtain control he lacked by placing the elevator at the front (amongst other things).
It turned out that their Flyer was in fact very unstable, and difficult to control well - but controllable enough.
They also apparently felt that a tail at the rear would be more susceptible to landing damage.
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am not sure you are correct that most early planes placed the elevator at the front. For example, Otto Lilienthal's gliders had the tail at the rear.
The Wright brothers were strongly influenced by Lilienthal's work, but were also very anxious to avoid his fate, and believed they would obtain control he lacked by placing the elevator at the front (amongst other things).
It turned out that their Flyer was in fact very unstable, and difficult to control well - but controllable enough.
They also apparently felt that a tail at the rear would be more susceptible to landing damage.
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I am not sure you are correct that most early planes placed the elevator at the front. For example, Otto Lilienthal's gliders had the tail at the rear.
The Wright brothers were strongly influenced by Lilienthal's work, but were also very anxious to avoid his fate, and believed they would obtain control he lacked by placing the elevator at the front (amongst other things).
It turned out that their Flyer was in fact very unstable, and difficult to control well - but controllable enough.
They also apparently felt that a tail at the rear would be more susceptible to landing damage.
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
Daniele ProcidaDaniele Procida
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
7,71134 silver badges68 bronze badges
2
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Alphonse Penaud and Lilienthal had the tail in the back, correct. But Santos-Dumont in 1906 and Gabriel Voisin also put the horizontal tail in the front (the Voisin designs had two, one forward and one rear, to be doubly sure they can be stabilized). So in the short period from 1903 to 1907 all aircraft had the tail in front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
"Backwards" is relative, there are modern aircraft that have forward placed elevator i.e. canard designs that fly quite successfully
(source)
As for why its not more popular you can read up more on that here and here as well as in the answers to lots of questions on this site.
As for why the rights did it this way, NASA offers an explanation
The placement of the elevators at the front of aircraft is rather
unique for the Wright flyer. Modern aircraft typically have the
elevator at the rear, attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The
Wright's placed their elevator at the front to provide protection to
the pilot in the event of a crash. (The pilot of this aircraft lies
next to the engine on the lower wing.) But there is also a static
performance advantage when the elevator is placed forward. Lifting
wings have a natural tendency to flip tail over nose because of the
way the pressure is distributed.
So they were not necessarily backwards so much as different considerations were taken under advisement during the design.
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
"Backwards" is relative, there are modern aircraft that have forward placed elevator i.e. canard designs that fly quite successfully
(source)
As for why its not more popular you can read up more on that here and here as well as in the answers to lots of questions on this site.
As for why the rights did it this way, NASA offers an explanation
The placement of the elevators at the front of aircraft is rather
unique for the Wright flyer. Modern aircraft typically have the
elevator at the rear, attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The
Wright's placed their elevator at the front to provide protection to
the pilot in the event of a crash. (The pilot of this aircraft lies
next to the engine on the lower wing.) But there is also a static
performance advantage when the elevator is placed forward. Lifting
wings have a natural tendency to flip tail over nose because of the
way the pressure is distributed.
So they were not necessarily backwards so much as different considerations were taken under advisement during the design.
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
"Backwards" is relative, there are modern aircraft that have forward placed elevator i.e. canard designs that fly quite successfully
(source)
As for why its not more popular you can read up more on that here and here as well as in the answers to lots of questions on this site.
As for why the rights did it this way, NASA offers an explanation
The placement of the elevators at the front of aircraft is rather
unique for the Wright flyer. Modern aircraft typically have the
elevator at the rear, attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The
Wright's placed their elevator at the front to provide protection to
the pilot in the event of a crash. (The pilot of this aircraft lies
next to the engine on the lower wing.) But there is also a static
performance advantage when the elevator is placed forward. Lifting
wings have a natural tendency to flip tail over nose because of the
way the pressure is distributed.
So they were not necessarily backwards so much as different considerations were taken under advisement during the design.
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
$endgroup$
"Backwards" is relative, there are modern aircraft that have forward placed elevator i.e. canard designs that fly quite successfully
(source)
As for why its not more popular you can read up more on that here and here as well as in the answers to lots of questions on this site.
As for why the rights did it this way, NASA offers an explanation
The placement of the elevators at the front of aircraft is rather
unique for the Wright flyer. Modern aircraft typically have the
elevator at the rear, attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The
Wright's placed their elevator at the front to provide protection to
the pilot in the event of a crash. (The pilot of this aircraft lies
next to the engine on the lower wing.) But there is also a static
performance advantage when the elevator is placed forward. Lifting
wings have a natural tendency to flip tail over nose because of the
way the pressure is distributed.
So they were not necessarily backwards so much as different considerations were taken under advisement during the design.
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
DaveDave
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
72.4k4 gold badges143 silver badges259 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Unique? And what about the 14bis by Alberto Santos-Dumont? In 1906, 100% of flying machines were canards - hardly unique if you ask me!
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Lilienthal had a special "Prellbügel" (bumper bar) fixed to his gliders to absorb potential crash loads. That saved him several times. Unfortunately, on that fateful day in August 1896 he left it off …
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's not destabilizing to put the elevator or horizontal "tail" in front, as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward that a large portion of the wing itself is well behind the CG and effectively acting as a tail. The fact that the forward elevator or canard is trimmed to generate positive lift, is what allows you to place the CG well forward in this manner.
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's not destabilizing to put the elevator or horizontal "tail" in front, as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward that a large portion of the wing itself is well behind the CG and effectively acting as a tail. The fact that the forward elevator or canard is trimmed to generate positive lift, is what allows you to place the CG well forward in this manner.
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's not destabilizing to put the elevator or horizontal "tail" in front, as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward that a large portion of the wing itself is well behind the CG and effectively acting as a tail. The fact that the forward elevator or canard is trimmed to generate positive lift, is what allows you to place the CG well forward in this manner.
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
$endgroup$
It's not destabilizing to put the elevator or horizontal "tail" in front, as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward that a large portion of the wing itself is well behind the CG and effectively acting as a tail. The fact that the forward elevator or canard is trimmed to generate positive lift, is what allows you to place the CG well forward in this manner.
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
2,4754 silver badges31 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Now, another related question-- why did the Wrights place vertical "curtains" in front of the CG (forward of the pilot) on some of their aircraft? It never made much sense to me.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
9 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also, the answer could note that the Wrights configuration tended to avoid a bad nose-drop in a stall.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
Also this answer could reference the Wrights' concerns over Lilienthal's experience as has been nicely pointed out in another answer.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
"as long as you place the CG sufficiently forward" – yes, but the Wrights forgot about this part.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
Could you provide some of the
many other examples?$endgroup$
– zymhan
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@zymhan: 14bis by Santos-Dumont, Voisin - between 1903 and 1907 all successful motorised aircraft had the horizontal "tail" up front.
$endgroup$
– Peter Kämpf
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
That's a huge horizontal stabiliser!
$endgroup$
– Koyovis
30 mins ago