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Trim Drag Question

koupster

Well Known Member
Have been wondering about the different levels of trim drag with different approaches to the trim system. I'll list them in what I think are the drag levels from least to most. Please let me know your thoughts. We'll save a trimmable horizontal stabilizer for another time.

I'm pretty sure about the first two.

1. Internal trim such as a spring system.
2. Trim tab like on RV elevators.
Here's where the root of the question lies:
3 or 4. Applied bendable tab.
3 or 4. Applied wedge.

Thanks for your inputted knowledge.
 
If bendable tab and wedge are about the same size.

I'd say

3. bendable tab
4. wedge

My reason being that air can follow the tab, but you'd get more drag from the tail end of the wedge.
 
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