Taz, we created that act in 1967 when this photo was taken at the Bi-Centennial Air Show at Abottsford, Canada. There have been several acts recently that have copied the one-aileron thing but not quite how we did it. There is a guy who does similar routine with an Interstate Cadet at Reno and other places. I have never seen any motion pictures or videos of our act, people didn't do that then but it would have been a kick. I have more photos taken over the 7 years that we did it and no matter how familiar the audience was with our craziness they always laughed their heads off.
Bob- Probably was one of the late comers then. We bring back fighters with one aileron missing and even most of a wing, so makes sense it would be no problem with a light aircraft to fly with one aileron. Probably made her skid a bit in turns, I would imagine.
It not only flew but performed a full aerobatic routine with loops, rolls, square loops, and a few indescribable contortions to boot. Our last act was stretching things a bit with only one aileron, no door, and half an elevator. The Champ had a stock 65HP Continental but it really was, in spite of its looks, a thoroughly upgraded airplane and performed admirably. Rate of roll was, of course, compromised but as long as you didn't try to raise the right wing (sans aileron), you were okay. We had a blast with this act and couldn't handle all the Rye that the Canadians were trying to give us. When we pulled the airplane out with all of its "makeup" on the first day some guy came up and offered us 50 bucks for it if "We didn't burn it." We spent most of the show trying to put it together and the right aileron (fake) kept falling off. Then when it came time for us to fly, the aileron fell off on take off. After a drunken climb to 900 feet the airplane went into a full aerobatic routine with a spin and landing in front of the crowd. We did this for 4 years and really had a ball with it.
Taz, most airplanes will fly fine with one aileron if the area is adequate. B-17's did it in the war and many others did it. The total aileron area of the Champ if I remember is 17 % of the total wing area and most trainers have a lot of control surface area so the airplane hardly noticed it. Yes, you did have to feed a bit more ruder into a turn . The center of rotation moved out towards the bad wing due to the imbalance of the aileron forces. Other than that, the airplane flew okay. We kept trying to remove more stuff but stopped at the half elevator...that made things a bit different.
Those low and slow comedy routines are always among my favorite acts! You really need to fly precisely to make it work.
Ok Bob, I want to see you fly this one.... Todd Trainor's Aeronca K Seaplane Image Unavailable, Please Login
In WW-I they actually experimented with transparent coverings on aircraft to see if it would make them more difficult to see. Unfortunately, it did not, especially if the sun was out. All kinds of reflections, even when the sun was not out, and you could see the glint from much further than you could a flat doped or even clear doped fabric covered aircraft.
I'll add to the thread (of breaking the monotony) rather than starting a new thread Image Unavailable, Please Login
She's a pretty plane, no question. Here she is waiting for a new day. Also (below) the folks who've been treating Bentonville AR to free airshows all week as they practice for the World Aerobatic Championships. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Second pic: What's the device on the wingtips? Guessing reference 'lines' for when in other than normal, level flight. Or?
You got it exactly right - they're "sighting rods" that help pilots perform precise 45 degree and vertical maneuvers This company makes 'em.... Notice the 2nd pic from the top. Shows that they work inverted, too (*OUCH*) Aerobatic Sights
