4 ms·
It seems that tail-less designs is a trend showcased in the article. Article mentions that thrust vectoring and canards are also used for tail/rudder function.
by zoomablemind 4y ago
It seems that tail-less designs is a trend showcased in the article. Article mentions that thrust vectoring and canards are also used for tail/rudder function.
I wonder in such concept, how it's supposed to deal with lack of rudder in event of engine failure? Landing in strong cross winds without rudder is likely impossible.
- nradov 4y agoTailless aircraft use wing trailing edge control surfaces (ailerons / elevons / flaperons) to achieve what conventional aircraft do with tails. For example, to yaw to the left the aircraft would extend control surfaces both above and below the left wing thus creating extra drag on that side. Of course the control authority is somewhat limited and sophisticated digital flight control systems are needed to translate pilot control inputs and maintain stability. Some serious failure modes are simply not recoverable, in which case the checklist procedure is to eject rather than trying to land.