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flying_ME · October 30th, 2002, 11:35

I'll start by saying that I am a mechanical engineer with hopes of someday getting a PPL (still looking for that couch cushion with 5 large underneath it). I came across the investigation of an Airbus crash which investigators believe may have been caused by large rudder movements (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/trave...obe021029.html). There are several factors involved (was the rudder movement caused by the pilots or some malfunction, etc) but I was suprised to find out that the vertical stabilizer can be overstressed from moving the rudder. For the pilots: does this concern you at all or is rudder usage rare enough that it is acceptable?

October 30th, 2002, 11:35	#1
flying_ME Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 62	Rudder usage I'll start by saying that I am a mechanical engineer with hopes of someday getting a PPL (still looking for that couch cushion with 5 large underneath it). I came across the investigation of an Airbus crash which investigators believe may have been caused by large rudder movements (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/trave...obe021029.html). There are several factors involved (was the rudder movement caused by the pilots or some malfunction, etc) but I was suprised to find out that the vertical stabilizer can be overstressed from moving the rudder. For the pilots: does this concern you at all or is rudder usage rare enough that it is acceptable?