RC Aircraft Stability: Neutral or Instability?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the stability characteristics of RC aircraft, specifically the trade-offs between static stability, neutral stability, and static instability. Participants explore how these stability types affect control, maneuverability, and the risk of stalling.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that static stability at extreme limits can prevent stalling but questions whether to maintain neutral static stability or static instability between those limits.
  • Another participant mentions that the chosen limit for static margin ranges from 1% to 40%, indicating that increasing static stability decreases controllability, thus advocating for lighter stability for better maneuverability.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes maintaining the aircraft within the range of static stability to avoid pitch-up moments that could lead to stalling, while also suggesting a configuration with two statically stable points within an unstable region to help return the aircraft to its original position.
  • One participant notes that canards will stall before the wings, which could prevent wing stalling, and seeks advice on whether to choose neutral stability or static instability between extreme limits.
  • Another participant argues that aircraft are not designed to be unstable, but rather that the choice lies between light and heavy stability, focusing on the relationship between the center of gravity (CG) and the aerodynamic center (AC).
  • A participant recommends light stability for better stabilization and maneuverability, especially when canards are used.
  • There is a direct inquiry about whether to opt for light stability or neutral stability when using canards.
  • One participant expresses a preference for light stability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the optimal stability configuration for RC aircraft, with no consensus reached on whether light stability or neutral stability is preferable. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to stability in the context of using canards.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the relationship between static margin, center of gravity, and aerodynamic center, but do not provide detailed definitions or clarify assumptions regarding these terms. The discussion includes varying perspectives on the implications of stability types for aircraft performance.

kevjcarvalho
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For an RC aircraft which i am working on i was thinking about having static stability at the extreme limits of pitching to prevent stalling and further instability, but i was wondering what to have between the limits neutral static stability or static instability. Static instability may help the pilot due to ease of controls but will always lead to the extremes thus stabilising the aircraft, thus preventing the pilot from maintaining the aircraft's orientations. Sorry but I'm not to good in explaining this. Thanks.
 
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all i know the choisen limit for static margin is from 1% to 40% and as u increas the static stabilty u decreas the contrlabilty so for good manuvers u need the a/c to be light stability
 
well i feel you should keep the aircraft in the range of static stability. the reason being if it is in the instable region i.e. CG behind AC, it will produce pitch up moments till your aircraft stalls. but between these limits, you must tend it towards instability as neutral stability will keep it in its position without ensuring its return to the stable position. so a good configuration would be two statically stable points between an unstable region which tends to pitch the aircraft back to its original position i.e C.G ahead of A.C
 
At the extreme limits the canards will stall, not the wings thereby preventing the wing from stalling. Also the CG is ahead of the AC of the wing. Want to know whether to keep neutral stability or static instability between the extreme limits. Nice to see u here.
 
but no one desing the aircraft to be unstability it is just choise between light stability and heavy stability ( the distance between ac and cg= static margien )and the ac shoud be after the cg then u look for the range for the movment of the cg forword or backword
 
you never said you were using canards. i would say go for light stability as this may help in stablisation as well as easy maneuverabilty...
 
ok.So should it be light stability or neutral??. Just trying out with canards.
 
i feel light stability
 

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