Tailplane

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Elevator (pendulum rudder) of a MiG-21

The horizontal stabilizer is the horizontal surface of the stabilizer , usually on the tail of an aircraft . It usually consists of a fixed part, the horizontal stabilizer , and a movable elevator . The horizontal stabilizer serves to stabilize and control the flight attitude around the transverse axis and thus also to control the angle of attack , according to the speed.

Designs

The horizontal stabilizer can be attached to the tail of the aircraft, i.e. after the wings, but also in front of it ( canard ). With the classic arrangement at the tail of the aircraft, various designs are possible. In the case of the T- tail , the horizontal tail is not attached to the fuselage, but on top of the vertical tail (see e.g. Boeing 727 ). An arrangement halfway up the vertical tail fin as a cross tail is also possible (example: Sud Aviation Caravelle ).

In more complex aircraft, such as commercial aircraft, the horizontal stabilizer is also movable, since it is used as a trimming device.

With the so-called pendulum rudder (also known as “stabilator” or “flying tailplane”), the functions of the rudder flap and fin are combined in a single movable surface (e.g. on the Piper PA-28 ).

  • Normal tail

  • Cross tail

  • T-tail

  • Pendulum rudder

  • Canard elevator

Flight static design

During static straight flight, the horizontal stabilizer exerts a downward force on the tail in order to compensate for the top-heavy torque of the weight trim . In the so-called duck construction , the horizontal stabilizer is arranged in front of the wings and exerts an upward force on the bow during static straight flight to compensate for the top-heavy moment of weight trimming.

Elevator trim

Trimmable horizontal stabilizer of an Airbus A320

With the trimmable horizontal stabilizer, the setting angle of the entire horizontal stabilizer can be changed for dynamic trimming in the manner of a pendulum rudder (fin trim), while the actual height control is carried out by the rudder flaps attached to the fin ( Piper PA-18 , Messerschmitt Bf 109 ). In smaller aircraft, trim rudders or spring trims that act on the rudder flaps are usually used; in these cases the horizontal stabilizer is rigidly connected to the aircraft fuselage.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ European patent EP2007 / 057044, description of the trim function of a trimmable elevator.