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FLYING Magazine Technicalities Voices Of Flying

‘V’ is For Variety

The iconic empennage evolves.

Peter Garrison
Verified
Apart from the Bonanza, most people would be hard-pressed to name many V-tail airplanes, but a list of no fewer than 142 of them can be found online. [Credit: Jessica Ambats]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • V-tails were initially conceived to reduce drag and manufacturing complexity, but early research, such as by NACA's findings, indicated no decisive aerodynamic advantages over conventional tails.
  • The popular Beechcraft Bonanza V-tail, despite being marketed for speed, was eventually discontinued due to structural design flaws, possibly resulting from an overly optimistic and undersized design.
  • Contemporary V-tail applications are primarily driven by practical necessities like stealth characteristics or avoiding jet engine exhaust, rather than inherent aerodynamic efficiency, leading to a trend towards more conservative designs with larger surfaces and increased dihedral.
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One day back in ancient times, I went to Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) to report on a gadget that was supposed to improve the directional stability of V-tail Beechcraft Bonanzas. It consisted of a bent-up aluminum channel about 8 feet long, similar to a length of roof gutter, that screwed to the underside of the aft fuselage. Its creator explained that it trapped a stream of air and thereby kept the tail from swinging from side to side.

I did not see how this could be, but I flew the Bonanza, first without the channel, and then with it. I kicked the rudder pedals a number of times and duly noted my subjective impression of the damping—that is, the number and size of oscillations required to return to steady flight. I am embarrassed to report that I did feel that the airplane with the channel was a little stiffer directionally. Possibly placebo effect.

Peter Garrison

Peter Garrison taught himself to use a slide rule and tin snips, built an airplane in his backyard, and flew it to Japan. He began contributing to FLYING in 1968, and he continues to share his columns, ""Technicalities"" and ""Aftermath,"" with FLYING readers.

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