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is it possible?



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stilesf-35
PostPosted: Oct 13, 2010 - 04:16 AM Reply with quote Back to top
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is it possible to fly a plane (glider, small plane, etc) without a rudder by constantly banking but keeping the plane straight? THe banks would have to be in shallow, opposite directions, but would it be possible to fly it? Question
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That_Engine_Guy
PostPosted: Oct 13, 2010 - 04:26 AM Reply with quote Back to top
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You could get it to fly all the way to the scene of the crash... I'm certain it would fly that far.

To quote Buzz Lightyear, "I'm not flying, I'm falling with style"

Seriously; you can do it with a B-52, but with that huge fuselage who needs a tail?
Ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wclfY0Meruw

Keep 'em flyin' (with the tail if it's OEM equipment)
TEG

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LinkF16SimDude
PostPosted: Oct 13, 2010 - 06:16 AM Reply with quote Back to top
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The civilian crash of United 232 back in the 80's. The crew flew the DC-10 with no hydraulic power to any of the flight controls using differential engine thrust for course corrections and power changes to adjust altitude. And they almost pulled it off too! Salute

As to your question, if you're designing a rudderless plane (no vertical surface) you could take a tip from the B-2 and use split wing surfaces for yaw control. Of course, you'd have to design a sophisticated flight control system to support that. If you lost the tail completely you'd have your hands full just keeping the thing from swapping ends let alone being able to navigate.

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