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Old 16 June 2009, 05:06 AM   #243 (permalink)
Blue Max Aviation DR1
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Presently building a road in Haiti
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by j ferguson View Post
I, too, found the flutter discussion unnerving. Having a plane shed mechanical parts in-flight is one thing, (I'm used to that) but airframe components is entirely different.

As Joe suggests, accurately reproducing a known design seems the safest way to go, assuming we've heard of that design's concerns.

Clearly, geometry and rigging must be accurate. But how accurate? Is it possible that the tolerances within which a design is flutter resistant are very small.

Sid's observation about elevator stop settings on the Luscombe suggest that a change in the stops which produces 1/4 inch greater deflection at the trailing edge can cause more interesting stalls. This should provide a clue.

So, flutter experts. What would you look for in flight testing these planes?
Perhaps Billy Bishop's mother was right when she urged her son to "keep it low, slow and level in the turns..."

Lynn
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