Stabilizer or Stabilator

[meritflyer]

Does anyone know why a horizontal stabilizer or stabilator would be better than the other? Pipers usually have the stabilator and Cessna has the stabilizer.

Advantages / Disadvantages?

 

[J22]

A stabilator is more sensitive to inputs because it pivots around a central hinge point, but I don't know if that's an advantage or disadvantage.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

I'd think a stabilator would be better as it is a larger control surface then a stabilizer and I *think* would react to control inputs faster then a smaller stabilizer.

 

[roundout]

the piper stabilator doesn't lose effectiveness in the transonic speed regime.

 

[Chris_Ford]

the piper stabilator doesn't lose effectiveness in the transonic speed regime.

:yeahthat:

(Seriously.)

 

[DE727UPS]

I like Cessna's. Moving parts tend to fail more than non-moving parts. Just makes sense.

Piper has a big moving part back there that would ruin your day if it failed...

 

[derg]

Gotta put the "trauma" in Traumahawk somehow!

 

[Nick]

There is also a third type, used by Mooney.

A stabilizer is used but there is no trim tab. Instead, the entire rear empennage pivots to trim. This is to reduce drag, like everything else on those airplanes.

 

[GrantHubbell]

There is also a third type, used by Mooney.

A stabilizer is used but there is no trim tab. Instead, the entire rear empennage pivots to trim. This is to reduce drag, like everything else on those airplanes.

Is that what is on a 177 Cardinal? I flew one around the patern on a "test flight". Pretty neat, as it was an RG, but the gear wouldn't retract, so thats why we flew it. There was a suspectected problem.

 

[ColMustard]

Is that what is on a 177 Cardinal? I flew one around the patern on a "test flight". Pretty neat, as it was an RG, but the gear wouldn't retract, so thats why we flew it. There was a suspectected problem.

The 177 has a stabilator. And they do create a greater force when deflected. Thats why they install anti-servo trim tabs on most of them, or it would be easy to over-control 'em.



-ColM

 

[mastermags]

Its kind of what the cub has too I believe. I've never really inspected a Mooney before to know.

 

[seagull]

Without any research, I would venture that the Piper's control forces were too heavy, or there was not enough authority, with a more conventional design.

As for the stab trim, that is the way that all the jets do it as well. Less drag and more authority.