I used up my entire allotment of blunders for the year in our July issue, where 1) I incorrectly referred to a Robertson STOL conversion as Robinson; 2) I said that the small forward lifting surfaces on the Robertson Wren 460 (a modified Cessna 182) were nicknamed “Wren’s teeth,” when in fact that name applied to rows of movable vortex generators on the wings that assisted in roll control at very low speeds; and 3) I described the Beech Starship as a “2,000 hp VariEze” when in fact it was a 2,400 hp VariEze.
The Piaggio Avanti is Strange, but Great
Key Takeaways:
- The article clarifies the author's strict definition of a "canard" aircraft, where a smaller foreplane provides pitch control but constrains the main wing's lift capabilities and efficiency.
- This is contrasted with the "three-surface" configuration, exemplified by the Piaggio Avanti, which uses a conventional aft elevator for pitch control.
- The three-surface design allows its main wing to utilize powerful high-lift devices, leading to a smaller wing, higher cruise speeds, and better fuel economy, while the foreplane primarily offers stall protection.
- The author suggests the three-surface configuration is superior for high-performance aircraft, contrasting the Avanti's success with the design choices behind the less effective Beech Starship.
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