DaSH PA -- Dead Simple Human Powered Airplane: Vertical Tail Testing + Ribs + Ready for Wing Build

Prepping for the Vertical Tail test

Tail Testing

We tested the Vertical tail surface (all-flying rudder) at above-flight speeds this past weekend, and it passed with flying colors. An unintended part of the test was hitting the leaves & branches of a low-hanging willow tree after the test, which damaged the V-bracket mount of the tail, but left the tail undamaged. That left us unable to test the horizontal tail, so we'll do that next weekend after repairing the mount.

Mounting the impeller-type airspeed indicator on the truck

Mounting wind gauge as alternate wind speed indicator

Cutting the access to the control horn for Vertical tail

We tested the tail in somewhat less than idea gusty winds, but eventually got steady enough wind to do several runs at between 30 and 32 kph (cruise speed for heaviest pilot is 25 kph), with moderate deflection of the tail, and no issues.

First we tested by moving the tail during several runs (we were limited in the up angle to about 4 or 5 degrees, down deflection went past stall to a full 9 degrees). Then we did several runs at 9 degrees down deflection up to 32 kph.

Moving tail, then full UP allowed, about 4 degrees

Out of focus video of test with full down deflection, 9 degrees

Video from inside truck during one test

There was some damage to the mount due to our encounter with the tree leaves and small branches, but none to the tail itself. It is repairable. We'll resume with horizontal tail tests once repairs are complete in a few days

Damage to V-bracket

More damage to V-bracket

Wing Rib Laminations Complete

All the wing rib cap laminations for the tapered part of the wing are complete, now the ribs are ready to be sliced into 6 mm wide ribs, and have doublers laminated to the sides.

All the end rib doublers (full face sheets) are complete, now they are ready to have the rib caps put on.