Major Gaps in Control Surfaces?

[GreenAce92]

Just curious do the flaps on your guys' ships have massive gaps where they turn? or do you guys have that covered with some flexible material or if its like a hinged setup where its not a bevel control surface... is this a major problem is being aerodynamically efficient? like if you have it programed for camber will you have any slot holes?

[slopemeno]

Most composite planes today have what's called a "live hinge". That means a layer of kevlar is built in during layup. Once the molding process is complete, the surface is cut free except for the live hinge area, which is permanently flexible, and completly sealed. It may have a molded wiper that moves in a constant radius and keeps the actual gap at the non-hinged side semi-concealed. On a top hinged aileron it will be opn the bottom and a bottom hinged flap it'll be on the top.

Going back a generation, a wing might be bagged as one piece, then the control surface would be cut free and the surface hinged with tape or silicone, which allowed plenty of freedom of movement and sealed the hinge area. A mylar wiper covered the gap that allowed up movement on a down-going flap.

Not sure what you mean about slot holes?

[GreenAce92]

Thanks for the reply and the info! i guess what i was mainly concerned about is what i rendered. But for some reason when i picture one of the F3 series sailplanes land they put their flaps down like 90degrees or perpindicular to the ground. Even then there arent any holes through the wing? i guess by then it wouldnt matter as all you are trying to do is get down, by slots i guess i was talking about like how a 747 has the giant 2-3 layer flap system for some reason i was thinking of a similar structure for sailplanes but not 3 of course but how there are those gaps in between the flap sections.

I guess you wouldnt need a massive bevel gap like you would on cheap powered foamies like little Yak's but that is only if your having your flaps go down not up in a spoiler like manner which i plan on doing so i kind of have a "throttle" control on the sailplane, camber down = slower thermal speed and then - camber or spoiler like would be for getting back from down wind thats what i see and read anyways

[Andy W]

The kind of gap you show has no effect when landing with flaps deployed. Smaller surface movements and subsequent gap, on ailerons or flaps set with camber for example, probably benefit from a gap seal of some sort. Most high-end ships have them molded in or installed as gap seal tape..
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