Clipped Wing?

[dallas]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

So what's the deal with a Clipped Wing? I can see what it means, it's like
the ends of the wings are clipped off. I don't get the aerodynamic
advantage. It seems to me the induced drag on the wing tips would be
increased reducing performance, not improving it.

Dallas

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"Dallas" <Cybnorm@spam_me_not.Hotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:akI7e.6643$yq6.3091@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> So what's the deal with a Clipped Wing? I can see what it means, it's
like
> the ends of the wings are clipped off.

It's not like they just take a hacksaw to the wing. The wingtip is finished
off just like an unclipped wing. The "clipped" term just means the wing is
shorter than "stock."

> I don't get the aerodynamic
> advantage.

Think about which is more maneuverable (in general--roll rate etc)--a T-38
or a glider. It's easier to get a shorter wing rolling.

It seems to me the induced drag on the wing tips would be
> increased reducing performance, not improving it.

While there might be some disadvantages, the tradeoff is usually "worth it"
for the (new) intended purpose of the aircraft.

--
Chris
http://www.mcmartinville.com

 

[Bob]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Dallas wrote:

> So what's the deal with a Clipped Wing? I can see what it means, it's like
> the ends of the wings are clipped off. I don't get the aerodynamic
> advantage. It seems to me the induced drag on the wing tips would be
> increased reducing performance, not improving it.
>
> Dallas
>
>

I would have to read up on it. I believe the clip wings are faster but
also have a higher stall speed. But not sure.

--

boB

U.S. Army Aviation (retired)
Central Texas - 5NM West of Gray Army Airfield (KGRK)

 

[Arthur]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

It keeps the budgie from flying too far because it has to flap many times
faster and he gets pooped out, literally causing it to fall onto its yap in
time for you to catch it.

Always glad to be of service : )

Arthur

"Dallas" <Cybnorm@spam_me_not.Hotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:akI7e.6643$yq6.3091@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> So what's the deal with a Clipped Wing? I can see what it means, it's
> like
> the ends of the wings are clipped off. I don't get the aerodynamic
> advantage. It seems to me the induced drag on the wing tips would be
> increased reducing performance, not improving it.
>
> Dallas
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"Dallas" <Cybnorm@spam_me_not.Hotmail.Com> wrote in message
news:akI7e.6643$yq6.3091@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> So what's the deal with a Clipped Wing? I can see what it means, it's
> like
> the ends of the wings are clipped off. I don't get the aerodynamic
> advantage. It seems to me the induced drag on the wing tips would be
> increased reducing performance, not improving it.
>
> Dallas

Back in the nether world for us "old folk" who lived in middle earth
clipping the wings of the Cubs and the Taylorcrafts was quite common for
pilots who wanted to fly aerobatics.
Perhaps the best known airplane in this category is Duane Cole's
Taylorcraft.
He actually bought the airplane from the owner who had already clipped the
wings down from their normal 36 feet to 28.10". Duane then went on to fly
this airplane in shows for eons. Personally, I consider Duane to have been
one of the finest aerobatic pilots in the world...ever! The main problem
with clipped wing Cubs and Taylorcrafts acrobatically was their lack of
power. This severely restricted them performance wise in the vertical
maneuver plane. Over time, as more powerful aerobatic airplanes began to
appear on the market, the clipped wings had to stand down, as they were
incapable of the new maneuvers being performed in the vertical plane like
vertical rolls by the higher powered airplanes like the Pitts.
To deal with your question directly, clipping the wings increased the
overall strength of the rib structure by eliminating the tip taper,
increased the speed a bit, and most importantly, increased the roll rate by
changing the roll inertia of the airplane. Higher roll rate means you can
rotate the lift vector faster with less energy losses, and this equates to
more excess power available (Ps) to use for entry into the next maneuver in
a maneuver sequence. This is extremely important to an aerobatic pilot doing
a demonstration where sequencing is critical.
Also.....having the airplane a bit stronger doesn't hurt all that much
either in case you ham hand something once in a while
Dudley

 

[dallas]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Thank you Dudley and Chris, I couldn't seem to get an answer Googling it.


Dallas

 

[dallas]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"Arthur"
> It keeps the budgie from flying too far because it has to flap many times
> faster and he gets pooped out, literally causing it to fall onto its yap
in
> time for you to catch it.


AAhh... I get it.. you were just kidding when you said you didn't drink.



Dallas

 

[shade3125]

Actually the tips are not clipped the roots are and shorter Lift struts installed. Some wings are custom built with closer rib spacing. Primary advantages are the previously mentioned increase in roll rate, but most important is the reduced bending moment of a shorter leverage arm allowing the increase in G limits with only minor strutructural changes. On the clip wing Cub the max gross weight is also reduced by 100 pounds to allow the higher G limit.