Strakes hinged along the fuselage to avoid violent control degradation in the post-stall flight regime are described. Hinged strakes are deflected from the conventional position coplanar with wings to an anhedral setting to increase controllability at high angles of attack by decreasing projected plan area, and altering vortex flow characteristics. As a result, effective lift on wings can be maintained at higher angles of attack than is possible with conventional strakes. The hinged strakes are retracted flush against the fuselage in high speed cruise flight to avoid drag effects. In an alternate mode of operation, strakes can be asymmetrically deployed to create a rolling that enhances roll control, and a side force that counters aircraft nose-slice and directional divergence.
Hinged Strake Aircraft Control System
1982
13 pages
Report
No indication
English