1. What is Vertical Tail Moment Arm?

The Vertical Tail Moment Arm is the distance between the centroid of the vertical tail shape and the center of gravity of the aircraft. It represents the lever arm through which the vertical tail side force acts to produce a moment about the aircraft's center of gravity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Vertical Tail Moment Arm (m)
• \( N_v \) — Vertical Tail Moment (N·m)
• \( Y_v \) — Vertical Tail Side Force (N)

Explanation: The negative sign indicates that the moment arm is calculated in the opposite direction to the applied moment, maintaining the proper relationship between force, moment, and distance.

3. Importance of Vertical Tail Moment Arm Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of the vertical tail moment arm is crucial for aircraft stability and control analysis. It helps determine the effectiveness of the vertical tail in providing directional stability and controlling yaw moments during flight maneuvers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vertical tail moment in Newton-meters (N·m) and vertical tail side force in Newtons (N). The vertical tail side force cannot be zero as division by zero is undefined.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is there a negative sign in the formula?
A: The negative sign accounts for the directionality of the moment and force vectors, ensuring the moment arm is calculated with proper sign convention for aircraft coordinate systems.

Q2: What are typical values for vertical tail moment arm?
A: Typical values vary by aircraft design but generally range from several meters for small aircraft to over 10 meters for large commercial jets, depending on the aircraft size and configuration.

Q3: How does vertical tail moment arm affect aircraft stability?
A: A longer moment arm increases the effectiveness of the vertical tail in providing directional stability and control authority, as the same side force produces a larger yawing moment.

Q4: Can this formula be used for other tail configurations?
A: While the basic principle applies, specific formulas may vary for different tail configurations such as T-tails, V-tails, or multiple vertical tail arrangements.

Q5: What units should be used for input values?
A: The calculator uses SI units: Newton-meters (N·m) for moment and Newtons (N) for force, resulting in meters (m) for the moment arm.