GB578892A - Improvements in or relating to aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

578,892. Controlling aircraft. MILES AIRCRAFT, Ltd., and MILES, G. H. March 27, 1944, No. 5642. [Class 4] A twin or multi-engined aircraft is provided with twin fin-and-rudder assemblies, the fins being movable under the control of the pilot from their normal parallel disposition into a position in which they converge forwardly to present a "toed-in" appearance in plan, in order to counteract the tendency to yaw in the event of failure of one or more engines, particularly during, or immediately after, takeoff, or when making an engine - assisted approach. In the case of a twin-engine machine, Fig. 1, the fin-and-rudder units are arranged on or substantially on the thrust centre lines 3 of the airscrews, and the fins 2 are capable of angular movement about the rudder hinge axes 5. Preferably the rudders also partake of the angular movement retaining their normal in-line relationship with the fins when the controls are centralised. The fin-and-rudder units may be capable of'differential operation to assist in directional control in the event of partial engine failure during normal flight. In order to augment the force exerted on the outer -surfaces of the fin-andrudder units when in the " toed-in " position, the thrust centre lines of the airscrews may diverge in the forward direction, Fig. 3 (not shown). According to the Provisional Specification the fins and/or the rudders may be capable of movement into the "toed-in" position.