Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
(OP)
I have flown everything from the SNJ to the L1011 and many in between. I have never experienced rudder reversal. What would cause it?
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RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
Assume the airplane is put in a steady heading sideslip by opposite application of rudder and aileron. If the rudder is rapidly moved from its deflected position while the airplane is still in the sideslip, high fin loads can be applied (the fin is now at a high "angle of attack"). The FARs do not specifically require the airplane structure to be designed to withstand a full rudder "reversal" (from max throw in the deflected/one direction to max throw in opposite direction)while in a sideslip. From memory, it must(I think) be designed to handle a rapid movement back to neutral. Many airplanes have rudder limiters for either/both fin load or S&C considerations. These result in some sort of a max rudder throw vs speed schedule. Often flaps, LE devices, gear position also are part of the scheduling. A few (I believe) also have a sideslip angle input to the schedule. Others are "hinge moment limited" in that the force to deflect the rudder is limited in some way. Usually the deflection limiters allow full throw up to some intermediate speed so as to have a good low Vmc in the takeoff and landing speed regime. Often the max possible loads occur at or just above the max speed for full throw. Its a very complex topic. Hope this helps a bit.
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
As for the rudder reversal that caused the airframe failure of the A300-600, FAR 25 only considers loads due to a single sideslip to maximum rudder deflection followed by rudders back to neutral. Loads due to reversion of rudder deflection from maximum to one side to maximum to the other side when sideslip is at it maximum can lead to airframe failure for some aircraft, depending on speed.
Normally T tail aircraft are less susceptible to that because the fin must already be capable of withstanding asymmetric loads on the horizontal tail, so they have very strong vertical tails.
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
While the fin of a T-tail has to carry the symmetric and asymmetric loads of the horizontal tail as well, these do not entail the kind of bending and torsion loads that a full rudder reversal would cause. Besides, the horizontal tail loads are there in a sideslip, including the asymmetric loads on the horizontal due to the sideslip, so that any strength available for those loads is already being used.
I personally wonder whether the existing fin structural design criterion is adequate. It appears that most pilots are unaware of the damage they can do by commanding a rudder reversal in an airplane without a rudder limiter (only airplanes with powered controls have rudder limiters, and I would guess that not all of those have them).
One final point on powered rudder control systems. The control algorithms generally assume that the airframe is completely intact. In the event that the rudder or fin becomes partially compromised due to internal structural failure (e.g., fatigue, delamination, or corrosion) or if the rudder position sensor malfunctions or becomes loose, the control system may drive the rudder into oscillations that could cause the fin to separate and/or induce flutter modes in the airplane. There are supposed to be failsafe features, but one wonders.....
RE: Rudder reversal in large subsonic aircraft
When all is said, I think a prexisting flaw in the composite material will turn out to be a more likely possibility to account for the tail breaking off.