11.1 Trim Tabs Flashcards
What are trim tabs
A type of secondary control used to compensate for aircraft imbalance can be fixed or moveable
What parts make up trim system on aileron
Cable system, screw jack, trim rod, trim tab
What is a balance tab
Assist pilot in controlling the aircraft
Pros and con of balance tab
Increases camber and accelerates air at trailing edge assisting in deflection of control surface reduces efficiency of control surface
What are Anti-balance tabs
Like a balance tab but instead of deflecting the opposite way it deflects the same way to help with effectiveness of control of aircraft
What are Servo tabs
Servo tabs are used on large control surfaces that are hard to move, pilot operates tab and moves hinge allowing movement of rest of surface
What are Spring tabs
Similar to servo tabs only works when a force on a flight control reaches a certain value, tab travels in opposite direction to aileron
What is mass balance
Balance the mass of the aileron (CP)
What is Mass balance flutter
When an aileron ‘flutters’ in the wind due to the CG of the aileron not being on the hinge point
What is control surface bias
Specific control surface configuration for desired flight characteristics eg small downwards deflection for descent
What is horn balance
A counterweight on the other side of the hinge point which helps with moving control surface when there’s an air stream as well as helping with flutter
What are balance panels
Plate connected to leading edge of the control surface split into upper and lower chamber, produces force on panel that assists with deflection
