General Aviation Rudder Tail 
Plane and Pilot
JANUARY 12, 2025
Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplanean Ercoupe. He was proud of his little bird, with its unique split sliding canopy, no rudder pedals, and a delightful art deco instrument panel.
Simple Flying
FEBRUARY 6, 2025
With a maximum speed of 95 Knots (109 MPH, 176 km/h), the aircraft features an angle of attack indicator and a T-tail to keep the elevator and rudder in the propeller slipstream. This allows effective steering even with the shark fin water rudder retracted.
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Jetwhine
DECEMBER 25, 2023
Beholding the Champ’s etched outlines recalled some of my most cherished flight time and the teachers, Paul King and John Coplantz, who really taught me how to fly in December 1996, two decades after passing my private pilot practical test at Eagle Aviation in Long Beach, California. So, this was adverse yaw.
Pilot Institute
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
Adverse yaw is a side effect of aileron use, countered by rudder input. In recent times, composite materials have been introduced for flight controls even in small general aviation aircraft. Fly-by-wire is expensive, so you wont find it on most small general aviation aircraft. What Is an Aileron?
Airspeed Junkie
AUGUST 2, 2024
Notable design changes included the introduction of a swept tail design in 1960 and a new cowl design in 1961, which improved aerodynamics and performance. However, the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 paved the way for its return, and production resumed in 1996.
Air Facts
JANUARY 29, 2025
Without any squadron aircraft available yet, the challenge was revised to renting an aircraft at the local general aviation airporta Piper Cub! As the aircraft began to slow and the tail wheel contacted the runway and the aircraft began to drift slightly to the right. The approach and touch down were normal.
Pilot Institute
APRIL 12, 2025
High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle. This is why the typical airfoil shape has a curved top and a flat bottom, especially in slower-speed general aviation aircraft. The tail rotor pushes air to one side ( action ), and the tail moves the other way ( reaction ).
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