PART III - HANDLING
58. General flying
(i) The aircraft is easy and pleasant to fly, but at the highest
altitudes accurate flying is necessary to obtain the best
results.
(ii) Controls
The tailplane and ailerons are light and powerful at all
speeds and particularly so at high speeds when they must
be used with caution until their characteristics are known
and their effectiveness appreciated. Large G loads are
easily obtained when flying at high indicated airspeeds
particularly in turbulent conditions. Reference should
be made to the accelerometer when high G loads are
being imposed. At the highest indicated airspeeds the
rate of roll is markedly reduced because of the onset of
aileron reversal, especially when large control movements
are applied. The rudder is comparatively heavy at all
speeds.
(iii)Feel system
Artificial feel is built into the power operated ailerons
and tailplane. The stick force required for any manoeuvre
depends on the distance that the control column is dis-
placed from the neutral position and is completely inde-
pendent of the airspeed. This characteristic of the con-
trol system, although fundamentally different from that
of a conventional system, presents no difficulties and
soon becomes familiar.
(iv) Trimmers
All three trimmers are powerful and quick in their
operation, in the case of the tailplane (on aircraft prior
to XB801) almost to the point of snatching. It is recom-
mended that the fast-operating tailplane trimmer be used
in blips to avoid the possibility of over-controlling. This
is most important at high airspeeds and mach numbers.
(v) Air brakes
The air brakes are effective at all speeds and may be
operated at any speed. The strong nose-up change of
trim (about 3G at high airspeeds) caused by opening the
brakes must be anticipated and allowed for prior to, or
during any period where G loadings are involved, other-
wise the G limit may be exceeded and the aircraft over-
stressed. For this reason it is recommended that the air
brakes are opened, before the tailplane is used to ease
the aircraft out of a dive.
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