Flight Testing a Simple Fix to Lateral Stability Deficiencies

Small aerodynamic surfaces mounted on the trailing edges of ailerons were investigated through flight tests. These so-called canted tabs were mounted parallel to the airflow of a nonslipping aircraft but were canted outwards in such a fashion that they would create a rolling moment due to stickfree side slip. The purpose of the canted tab is to alter stickfree lateral stability. Ailerons of a single engine propeller driven aircraft were modified with canted tabs, and manned flight tests were performed. The results of the flight testing confirmed that the stickfree lateral stability can be significantly altered. The main advantage of the canted tabs may be as a simple fix to lateral stability deficiencies of existing aircraft.