Top Hinging Ailerons and Elevators

[EHaury at aol.com]

Probably the biggest reason for top (or near top) hinging anything is weight 
savings when using very large ailerons on relatively thick wings as may be 
the case with AA 3D designs. 

If 45 degrees of travel is desired, and even if both the aileron and wing are 
beveled, a quite thick balsa edge is needed to do it conventionally. With top 
hinging the foam can be cut to the bevel and sheeted with 1/16, having only 
some 1/4" insets for the hinges. Saves a bunch of weight.

As for the gap, on my Widebody 60 with top hinging and very wide bevel on the 
bottom (actual gaps sealed) there was no deleterious effect. I did tape 
(front edge only) some 1/64 ply "covers" over the bevel opening and saw no 
change in upright flight. Nearly crashed in inverted flight as the covers 
stood up like spoilers in the now lower pressure area (top). 

Earl
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