Mal
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Jul 13, 2011, 1:58 PM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: [genaker] Wing sail question
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There are some significant advantages to having two sails. It all revolves around low speed aerodynamics and keeping the flow established on the main airfoil. If you watch an airliner's wing you'll see a slot appear between the wing and the slat in front of the wing during the approach for much the same purpose. I suspect the ability to shape the foresail has it's advantages as well. This and the fact that control of the shape of the main wing will already be quite complex likely dictated not putting another wing forward.
Additionally, though a wing can be quite flexible in varying winds, nothing gives as much flexibility as being able to furl a sail and/or have several different ones available on the fly.
Check Six .......Mal
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