Color Schemes, the good the bad and the visible

[Bill Carpenter]

Keith,

I've always used a white leading edge as a way to see if the wings are level
when the plane drops below a line of trees during landings, which presents a
darker background.

Bill

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From: "Keith Black" <tkeithb at attbi.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Subject: Color Schemes, the good the bad and the visible
Date: Tue, Mar 4, 2003, 11:30 PM


I'm trying to decide on a color scheme for my new Aries. In doing so my
first requirement is that it be easy to see and easy to determine
orientation (level wings, etc.). After that comes aesthetics.

I would think as technical as pattern flyers are many hours have been spent
on studying this topic and I'm curious as to what knowledge the members have
to share on this subject.

In looking at a many photos of modern pattern planes I've noticed the
following couple of points that perhaps someone can comment on. Is this for
form or function?

1. Many planes have a "wedge" of color on the top root of the wing next to
the fuse. In almost every case the wedge is wider at the front and narrow at
the back, many times coming to a point in the back. This wedge seems to be
used both on planes where the rest of the wing has lengthwise strips and
planes where the rest of the wing has a starburst. Does this wedge of color
at the wing root help visually in any way?

2. Quite a few planes seem to leave a white leading edge. For example, the
traditional starburst pattern that flares out to the wing tip is often and
often times does not include the leading edge. In other words, a strip on
the leading edge left white (or the base color). Does this help in
visibility?

I would think there's an entire science behind paint schemes, colors and
visibility, I'd love to learn more on this topic.

Thanks,
Keith Black

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