I've been reading posts on tail wag and was reminded of an observation made many times over during the course of the last summer. When flying in buggy weather, I noticed that only the outer half of the horizontal stabilizers and the top half of the vertical stabilizer had bugs stuck to the leading edge. Surfaces closer to the tail cone were clean. I'm guessing that the flow over the fuselage is disrupted, perhaps to the point detaching and the non-laminar flow has less impact energy, hence no bugs.
In addition to the oil canning and eddy flow around the rudder that have been offered as potential causes of wag, I wonder if the effective area of the vertical stabilizer is limited by this phenomenon, leading to a bonanza-like wag.
Considering that the trim tab is in the inner portion of the stabilzer, it would seem that trim authority may be compromised as well.
I'm tempted to put some VGs on the fuselage and canopy and go fly. I'll use the bugs as my tufts. If the detachment is as significant as it seems, there might also be some more speed to be had.
Anybody notice or try the same thing?
In addition to the oil canning and eddy flow around the rudder that have been offered as potential causes of wag, I wonder if the effective area of the vertical stabilizer is limited by this phenomenon, leading to a bonanza-like wag.
Considering that the trim tab is in the inner portion of the stabilzer, it would seem that trim authority may be compromised as well.
I'm tempted to put some VGs on the fuselage and canopy and go fly. I'll use the bugs as my tufts. If the detachment is as significant as it seems, there might also be some more speed to be had.
Anybody notice or try the same thing?