On the design of sailplane tail surfaces

Abstract

The wide variety of tail surface designs seen on modern sailplanes attests to the differences of opinion among designers as to the best combination of variables in the layout of these surfaces.... On the basis of a simple analysis of the stability of isolated tail surfaces the following conclusions can  be  drawn..... On the basis of an analysis of the stability of a fuselage-tail combination the  following conclusions can be drawn.... Based on  comparisons of airfoil data for symmetrical sections without control  surfaces, the following conclusions can be drawn.....