Free Flight Tip Launch Glider Experiments with Various Tail Configurations and Slow Motion Video

Experiments with different types of tail configurations on tip launch gliders with slow motion clips showing what happens right after launch when the glider is subject to severe yaw. A conventional Y tail will twist so that half the stab becomes a rudder which helps yaw correction. However the Y tail also causes a pitch down moment which is especially bad when combined with an under cambered wing. Flipping the Y tail 180 degree proves this point as glider will pitch up significantly but there are other complications. X tail configurations combined with very stiff tail booms show promise as the launch is more straight and smooth which should eventually translate into less energy lost and more height.

[@yamameco5]

Great verification video. Evidence that the cross (+) tail is the strongest.

[@ferduvsvet5614]

Prima na lehké lítání ...

[@wcstoddart]

Very interesting video.

[@mikemckeever8908]

Nice Ken....well done. Anxious to see what you end up with...of course it's all about altitude so which one got higher? Not sure the configuration makes much difference in glide.

[@kenbauer7776]

Thanks Mike. Right now they are all getting similar height but I haven't measured it. Still lots of work to do and not clear if there is a real advantage or not.

[@chez4504]

Hello, What is the thickness of the line you use for DT?

[@rosojati-Rosojati]

Itu menggunakan airfoil f1a? Ingin melihat hasil terbang/glide nya

[@canalbigmix7479]

Muito legal 👍👍👍👍

[@tmathews180]

Ken, I was wondering why you did not just try a very stiff boom with the Y tail and add a bit of decalage?

[@kenbauer7776]

Hi Tony. Great question. I would love to see what happens with a stiff boom and the Y tail, but if my theory is correct it may not help because the Y tail depends on the twisting boom that turns the stab half into a big rudder and offers momentary yaw compensation. Take away the boom twist and the yaw problem may get worse.