Tail Plane

The tail plane is important to the control and stability of the final aircraft. Therefore, the design process required calculations to determine the appropriate sizes for the horizontal and vertical tail plane. In addition the size of the control surfaces, the elevator and rudder, are important to enable consistent flight responses from the aircraft.

To allow visualisation of the proposed design a CAD model was created. The tail plane design includes a boxed section to ensure that the connection between the horizontal and vertical tail plane is structurally sound. The tail plane is bolted into the tail boom providing a strong and secure connection but also allowing the tail plane to be removed if necessary. The servos are housed in the boxed section of the tail plane and the wires pass internally through the tail boom to the Pixhawk.

The manufacture of the tail plane required the laser cutting of aerofoil sections from sheet balsa. These were attached to a cyparis spar and the balsa box section. The final assembly was then covered in solar film to provide a lightweight low drag skin.