MolaKule Q&A on Aircraft Structures IV Empennage

[MolaKule]

New Question:

How does the design of the Empennage and aft fuselage relate to the potential of Tail Strikes?

 

[Skippy722]

The longer/bigger it is the closer it will be to the ground as the plane rotates on take off.

 

[MolaKule]

The longer/bigger it is the closer it will be to the ground as the plane rotates on take off.

 

[MolaKule]

Right Skippy.

The geometry can determine tali strike potential as well, that.is, the "curvature" of the empennage. An upcurving design has less strike potential.

The length obviously is also a factor.

 

[Cujet]

Right Skippy.

The geometry can determine tali strike potential as well, that.is, the "curvature" of the empennage. An upcurving design has less strike potential.

The length obviously is also a factor.

What's interesting is that for most designs, the compromises to empennage shape made do not significantly increase Cd. The transition upwards is gentle enough to prevent flow separation, and maybe more importantly, the empennage contributes a relatively small portion of the aircraft's total drag.

Though, I always wondered about this rectangular beast: