Thread: Flettner tabs?

Hi all,

My research shows that a Flettner Strip / Tab is a Trim Tab, correct?

As invented by Anton Flettner (German National) during WW1, along with many other Aviation related inventions?

I've never heard of them! On looking it up though I believe its just a servo tab, so aiding control deflection by moving opposite to the control surface. Not too sure, why are you researching Flettner, just general interest?

I popped in for a couple of hours with my Instructor on Saturday to make sure my knowledge and notes were up to date - which to my surprise both were on good form!

We were talking about the Stall Strips, and for the next lesson, he asked me to research the Flettner Strip / Tab, and said he might put a dodgy Wiki article on there just to make life harder lol! So I decided to do some hardcore research on the Internet for what seems like a very rarely talked about item!

I found the following sources of use, to which I came to the conclusion that the Flettner Tab was the Trim Tab...

Anton Flettner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have made changes to the article on Wikipedia to read "During World War I, Flettner developed the servo tab / anti-servo tab..." as before it read During World War I, Flettner developed the trim tab..."

But having researched further today, I realised that it isn't a trim tab at all, but a tab that makes the movement of the control surface heavier / lighter when aircraft controls are too light / heavy.

Servo tab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:2...&ct=clnk&gl=uk (FW-190 showing additional features - Flettner Tabs)

http://www.bazl.admin.ch/fachleute/l...+hoJVn6w==.pdf (Pil.Porter Showing Improvements in Controls after Flettner Tabs on Page 2)

You learn something new everyday!

Correct, servo tabs and anti-servo tabs change the force input needed by the pilot to either decrease or increase the control loads for the pilot. Very simple stuff but very valuable

Indeed - I found it a very interesting read!