Flight Measurements to Determine the Effect of a Spring-Loaded Tab on the Longitudinal Stability of an Airplane

摘要

Tests were made of a spring loaded tab, called a 'springy' tab, installed on the elevator of an SB2C-1 scout-bomber. The tab was arranged to deflect upward with decrease in speed, causing an increase in pull force to trim at low speeds, and thereby increasing the stick-free static longitudinal stability of the airplane. Results show that the springy tab gave an increase in stick-free stability in all conditions and reduced the danger of inadvertent stalling.