Max width of tail wing?

[evandyke]

The rules state that the maximum wing chord (straight line distance from leading edge of wing to trailing edge, parallel to the fuselage) of the wing must be 7.0 cm or less. Does this also apply to the width of the tail wing or just the main wing which is the single largest lifting surface? Mine is slightly over 7cm.

[CrayolaCrayon]

There is only one wing. The event requires you construct a monoplane. It applies to the wing, and the stab effectively, as the stab has to have a smaller surface area than the wing.

[coachchuckaahs]

The rules define the wing as the single largest surface. They do not define if this is in span, chord, area, or all. One interpretation is area. However, if you came with a smaller span and larger chord, you are at risk to interpretation.

I had previously put in an faq asking to define "largest", but it did not get answered.

Most es's will probably have a template and expect all surfaces to fit span and chord. If you come with a low aspect ratio stab, be prepared to defend your position.

Imho, higher aspect ratio will be more efficient, so no need to go there!

Coach Chuck

[evandyke]

There is only one wing. The event requires you construct a monoplane. It applies to the wing, and the stab effectively, as the stab has to have a smaller surface area than the wing.

By tail wing I should of said rear stabilizer.

[evandyke]

The rules define the wing add the single largest surface. They do not define if this is in spam, chord, area, or all. One interpretation is area. However, if you came with a smaller spam and larger chord, you are at risk to interpretation.

I had previously put in an faq asking to define "largest", but it did not get answered.

Most es's will probably have a template and expect all surfaces to fit span and chord. If you come with a low aspect ratio stab, be prepared to defend your position.

Imho, higher aspect ratio will be more efficient, so no need to go there!

Coach Chuck

If largest is defined as surface area then I should be all set because the rear stabilizer has a smaller area then the wing. I'll probably play it safe though and make a rear stabilizer with a chord length less then 7cm. Hopefully this wont affect the overall flight quality to much.

[CrayolaCrayon]

The rules define the wing add the single largest surface. They do not define if this is in spam, chord, area, or all. One interpretation is area. However, if you came with a smaller spam and larger chord, you are at risk to interpretation.

I had previously put in an faq asking to define "largest", but it did not get answered.

Most es's will probably have a template and expect all surfaces to fit span and chord. If you come with a low aspect ratio stab, be prepared to defend your position.

Imho, higher aspect ratio will be more efficient, so no need to go there!

Coach Chuck

If largest is defined as surface area then I should be all set because the rear stabilizer has a smaller area then the wing. I'll probably play it safe though and make a rear stabilizer with a chord length less then 7cm. Hopefully this wont affect the overall flight quality to much.

Alternatively, you can make a surface just like the wing, and make it ever so shorter in length.

[bjt4888]

One more thought on the topic.

The wing could be either the forward or the rearward horizontal lifting surface. If the rearward horizontal surface is 35x7, or less, and is larger than the forward horizontal lifting surface, by definition the rear surface is the wing and the forward surface is the “foreplane” and you have built a canard and met the rules, in my opinion.

The above is not an official rule interpretation, but it is a correct by definition. However, with this configuration, you may run the risk of encountering an ES that doesn’t know what a canard is. Nothing against ES of course; they are volunteers and should be appreciated.

We are not building canards, but they are interesting airplanes (note the Wright Flyer).

Brian T

[OpticsNerd]

This is why I feel like they should bring back specific specifications for the horizontal stabilizer...
It isn't really clear to some people when they say the wing needs to be the largest lifting surface,

[klastyioer]

i agree w crayola and coach
though i do and do not agree w optics nerd
though it is confusing, it leaves room for creativity
going canard would be kinda cool

anyways back on topic
either make the stab shorter in length or less then the measurement of your wing chord
i would play it safe and just make both shorter by a millimeter or two
but yall do whatever u have planned