[JoeF]

Reflex
Explore the arts, crafts, dynamics, examples, experiences ... of "reflex" for kited wings, gliding wings, kite-gliding wings! All invited. Models, strategies of craft, model hang gliders, inhabited hang gliders are in the game here.
Explore luff lines, battens, ribs, appliques, morphing parts, ...
How much? Adjustable? Fixed? Position? Ailerons? Inset?
Studies, experiences, references, ???
Passive reflex?
Active reflex?
Sensors and control of reflex?
Pitch control.
Wing-embedded?
Leveraged reflex?

[Frank Colver]

I used a reverse airfoil at the tips of my Skysail to reduce the amount of mechanical reflex I would need for pitch stability. The wing was single surface except for the tips which were covered top and bottom with the airfoil gradually changing from positive to negative going toward the tip. What mechanical twist I did use was also supported by a cable from the kingpost so that negative forces couldn't reduce the twist and the 3/4" titanium tubing TE was curved.

The ailerons shown were soon discarded in favor of drag rudders at the tips. Because the rudders obscured the tips, later field photographs don't adequately show the reverse airfoil there. Therefore, this construction photo was the best I could locate showing the reverse rib (also my cat, Linus, who always managed to get in the act).

Good subject, Joe!

Frank Colver

Building the Colver Skysail wing structure photo.jpg (318.23 KiB) Viewed 1362 times