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From: daniel@petrus.UUCP (Daniel W. Nachbar)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: spoilers/airbrakes -- clarification
Message-ID: <16@petrus.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-Jan-86 11:21:42 EST
Article-I.D.: petrus.16
Posted: Thu Jan 30 11:21:42 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 03:32:59 EST
References: <5@petrus.UUCP> <4872@alice.UUCP> <205@isieng.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc
Lines: 33

Many thanks for all the nice responses about the differences between landing
gliders and power planes.  I'm afraid my question was poorly worded.
Let me try to clarify.  I hold both glider and power ratings, so I am
well aware of why gliders have spoilers.  My question is why power
planes DO NOT.  I recognize the fact that there is less need.  I also
realize that they must add some cost.  However, given their benefits
(see article below), I have often wondered why they are completely absent
(well almost) from prop planes.  please note:

> The WWII Taylorcraft spotter plane (I forget the military designation)
> had two neat features:  an aft seat that turned backwards, allowing
> the spotter to spot through a big greenhouse window; and spoilers.
> 
> Between the spoilers and frowrd slip, the sucker could land anywhere.
> 
> The aircraft can be certified for civilian use only if both these
> features are disabled.
> 
> 	phil

Why would such a lovely thing as spoilers be disabled?  
Certainly it doesn't cost anything to keep them there?
Is it generally believed that spoilers make a plane harder to fly? My
impression is exactly the opposite.
Also, a pilot friend who has flown the new mooney claims
that it is wonderfully easy to land.  set the power, diddle the spoilers,
and you land right on the money; just like a glider (he's glider rated
as well).  I get the feeling that there is some reason for not having them
other than cost.  Thus, my question to the net.
Dan Nachbar
Bell Communications Research
Morristown, NJ
bellcore!daniel