Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group RE: Question from Rich Stowell

Rolling and turning are NOT the same thing.  Yes, I agree that it would "appear" to someone who has a shallow level of knowledge of how airplanes fly that the primary turn control in an airplane is ailerons.  However, the ailerons function is to roll the airplane and point the lift vector in the direction the pilot wishes but ultimately it is the lift component that pulls the airplane around in a turn.  To tell a student that ailerons make the airplane turn because that is what "appears" to be true at shallow angles of bank and in 1 G flight is teaching at the rote level and does nothing to teach a pilot what really makes his airplane fly and how it works.   As instructors, our job is not to simply teach at the rote level, and as examiners we certainly are expected to examine at above the rote level.  Teaching that ailerons are the primary turn control is rote level teaching. 

 

Here is my suggestion.  Let's get to the bottom of this.  Call Oklahoma City and ask your POI this question and see what he says.  Be sure and send him everything that has been said in this thread. 

 

Jim Bair

 

 

From: Michael Huckle

Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 11:59 AM

To: Sport Aircraft

Subject: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group RE: Question from Rich Stowell

 

 

> Posted by: "Kevin" mailto:kmoberlypilot%40yahoo.com
> On Sunday, I posted a question to the group from Rich Stowell. That
> question was, "what is the primary control surface used to turn an
> airplane?" Wow, what a response! Both on flying groups and forums that
> I'm a member of, along with the pilotsleague.com site, the answers are
> all over the place. In fact, I had a "spirited" debate at the airport
> today with several pilots regarding this subject. I'm very glad this
> topic is getting people thinking through the aerodynamics of a turn and
> basic flight fundamentals. I wanted to let everyone know that I will
> post Rich's response on this group on Thursday or Friday. That will
> give everyone a few more days to respond. I answered the question
> incorrectly, and I think many of you will be surprised by Rich's
> explanation.

Here's one of those -regular- turns....
between 15° and 45° angle of bank (AoB);

Cockpit view of Shuttle landing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sUU4tUJLTA

I think it's quite clear their primary
airspeed control is with elevator,
and primary turn control is ailerons.

... so I'm hoping Rich will get the answer right!  ;-)

Mike