Why do some airplanes have simultaneously a straight wing and a swept horizontal stabilizer?

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I'm sure there are many other examples like this one: Embraer EMB 120 with an almost straight wing and an obviously swept horizontal stabilizer.



Why is there a difference in sweep angle between the main wing and the horizontal stabilizer, since both surfaces fly at the same speed?










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    up vote
    13
    down vote

    favorite












    I'm sure there are many other examples like this one: Embraer EMB 120 with an almost straight wing and an obviously swept horizontal stabilizer.



    Why is there a difference in sweep angle between the main wing and the horizontal stabilizer, since both surfaces fly at the same speed?










    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      13
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      13
      down vote

      favorite











      I'm sure there are many other examples like this one: Embraer EMB 120 with an almost straight wing and an obviously swept horizontal stabilizer.



      Why is there a difference in sweep angle between the main wing and the horizontal stabilizer, since both surfaces fly at the same speed?










      share|improve this question















      I'm sure there are many other examples like this one: Embraer EMB 120 with an almost straight wing and an obviously swept horizontal stabilizer.



      Why is there a difference in sweep angle between the main wing and the horizontal stabilizer, since both surfaces fly at the same speed?







      aerodynamics wing-sweep






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      edited Sep 4 at 15:36









      reirab

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      13.5k13599










      asked Sep 3 at 22:06









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          2 Answers
          2






          active

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          up vote
          18
          down vote



          accepted










          The tail sweep helps to extend its range of angles of attack.



          For both stability and control, it is very important that the tail doesn't stall before the wing in any circumstances (for a classic design; for canards it may be beneficial). Generally, for high positive angles of attack, the horizontal tail already has an edge because it is set at a lower angle of incidence for statically stable airplanes. Plus, the change of downwash with AoA helps.



          Still, to delay stall further, particularly when control surfaces deflection is considered, a higher sweep angle can be used. The lift slope vs AoA decreases with the [cosine of] sweep angle, and the stall angle increases. Note that the maximum lift coefficient also decreases, so the tail may need to be sized larger.



          You might notice that even for the airplanes with swept wings, the sweep angle of the tail is nearly always higher (typically by 5°), primarily for this reason.



          The leverage advantage (mentioned by John K), may be important in practice only for naturally short-tail airplanes, typically with rear-mounted engines. A classic solution is to put the horizontal tail on top of a swept vertical tail. But in other circumstances the additional lever arm of a higher sweep will likely be offset by the lower effect per AoA and thus larger size (as mentioned above), and heavier design due to additional torsional loads.



          And let's not forget looks! It's fashionable to have at least the vertical tail sweep. Compare different versions of C175, for example.






          share|improve this answer


















          • 3




            I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
            – J...
            Sep 4 at 12:17










          • @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
            – Zeus
            Sep 5 at 0:20

















          up vote
          4
          down vote













          The tail is swept to move the aerodynamic center aft to provide more "leverage" for the tail in generating down force. Same as sweeping the fin, although that is also for looks. If the airplane had a straight fin and straight horizontal tail, the tail surfaces would have to be larger to have the same tail "volume" (area x moment arm) or the fuselage itself would have to be longer.



          A bit of a free lunch by providing slightly more tail volume than a straight tail, with almost no weight penalty.






          share|improve this answer




















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted










            The tail sweep helps to extend its range of angles of attack.



            For both stability and control, it is very important that the tail doesn't stall before the wing in any circumstances (for a classic design; for canards it may be beneficial). Generally, for high positive angles of attack, the horizontal tail already has an edge because it is set at a lower angle of incidence for statically stable airplanes. Plus, the change of downwash with AoA helps.



            Still, to delay stall further, particularly when control surfaces deflection is considered, a higher sweep angle can be used. The lift slope vs AoA decreases with the [cosine of] sweep angle, and the stall angle increases. Note that the maximum lift coefficient also decreases, so the tail may need to be sized larger.



            You might notice that even for the airplanes with swept wings, the sweep angle of the tail is nearly always higher (typically by 5°), primarily for this reason.



            The leverage advantage (mentioned by John K), may be important in practice only for naturally short-tail airplanes, typically with rear-mounted engines. A classic solution is to put the horizontal tail on top of a swept vertical tail. But in other circumstances the additional lever arm of a higher sweep will likely be offset by the lower effect per AoA and thus larger size (as mentioned above), and heavier design due to additional torsional loads.



            And let's not forget looks! It's fashionable to have at least the vertical tail sweep. Compare different versions of C175, for example.






            share|improve this answer


















            • 3




              I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
              – J...
              Sep 4 at 12:17










            • @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
              – Zeus
              Sep 5 at 0:20














            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted










            The tail sweep helps to extend its range of angles of attack.



            For both stability and control, it is very important that the tail doesn't stall before the wing in any circumstances (for a classic design; for canards it may be beneficial). Generally, for high positive angles of attack, the horizontal tail already has an edge because it is set at a lower angle of incidence for statically stable airplanes. Plus, the change of downwash with AoA helps.



            Still, to delay stall further, particularly when control surfaces deflection is considered, a higher sweep angle can be used. The lift slope vs AoA decreases with the [cosine of] sweep angle, and the stall angle increases. Note that the maximum lift coefficient also decreases, so the tail may need to be sized larger.



            You might notice that even for the airplanes with swept wings, the sweep angle of the tail is nearly always higher (typically by 5°), primarily for this reason.



            The leverage advantage (mentioned by John K), may be important in practice only for naturally short-tail airplanes, typically with rear-mounted engines. A classic solution is to put the horizontal tail on top of a swept vertical tail. But in other circumstances the additional lever arm of a higher sweep will likely be offset by the lower effect per AoA and thus larger size (as mentioned above), and heavier design due to additional torsional loads.



            And let's not forget looks! It's fashionable to have at least the vertical tail sweep. Compare different versions of C175, for example.






            share|improve this answer


















            • 3




              I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
              – J...
              Sep 4 at 12:17










            • @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
              – Zeus
              Sep 5 at 0:20












            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            18
            down vote



            accepted






            The tail sweep helps to extend its range of angles of attack.



            For both stability and control, it is very important that the tail doesn't stall before the wing in any circumstances (for a classic design; for canards it may be beneficial). Generally, for high positive angles of attack, the horizontal tail already has an edge because it is set at a lower angle of incidence for statically stable airplanes. Plus, the change of downwash with AoA helps.



            Still, to delay stall further, particularly when control surfaces deflection is considered, a higher sweep angle can be used. The lift slope vs AoA decreases with the [cosine of] sweep angle, and the stall angle increases. Note that the maximum lift coefficient also decreases, so the tail may need to be sized larger.



            You might notice that even for the airplanes with swept wings, the sweep angle of the tail is nearly always higher (typically by 5°), primarily for this reason.



            The leverage advantage (mentioned by John K), may be important in practice only for naturally short-tail airplanes, typically with rear-mounted engines. A classic solution is to put the horizontal tail on top of a swept vertical tail. But in other circumstances the additional lever arm of a higher sweep will likely be offset by the lower effect per AoA and thus larger size (as mentioned above), and heavier design due to additional torsional loads.



            And let's not forget looks! It's fashionable to have at least the vertical tail sweep. Compare different versions of C175, for example.






            share|improve this answer














            The tail sweep helps to extend its range of angles of attack.



            For both stability and control, it is very important that the tail doesn't stall before the wing in any circumstances (for a classic design; for canards it may be beneficial). Generally, for high positive angles of attack, the horizontal tail already has an edge because it is set at a lower angle of incidence for statically stable airplanes. Plus, the change of downwash with AoA helps.



            Still, to delay stall further, particularly when control surfaces deflection is considered, a higher sweep angle can be used. The lift slope vs AoA decreases with the [cosine of] sweep angle, and the stall angle increases. Note that the maximum lift coefficient also decreases, so the tail may need to be sized larger.



            You might notice that even for the airplanes with swept wings, the sweep angle of the tail is nearly always higher (typically by 5°), primarily for this reason.



            The leverage advantage (mentioned by John K), may be important in practice only for naturally short-tail airplanes, typically with rear-mounted engines. A classic solution is to put the horizontal tail on top of a swept vertical tail. But in other circumstances the additional lever arm of a higher sweep will likely be offset by the lower effect per AoA and thus larger size (as mentioned above), and heavier design due to additional torsional loads.



            And let's not forget looks! It's fashionable to have at least the vertical tail sweep. Compare different versions of C175, for example.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Sep 4 at 5:13









            Federico♦

            24.7k13100151




            24.7k13100151










            answered Sep 4 at 1:48









            Zeus

            2,600513




            2,600513







            • 3




              I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
              – J...
              Sep 4 at 12:17










            • @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
              – Zeus
              Sep 5 at 0:20












            • 3




              I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
              – J...
              Sep 4 at 12:17










            • @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
              – Zeus
              Sep 5 at 0:20







            3




            3




            I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
            – J...
            Sep 4 at 12:17




            I'm quite sure that fashion is less of a design decision than aerodynamics.
            – J...
            Sep 4 at 12:17












            @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
            – Zeus
            Sep 5 at 0:20




            @David, in this case I was talking about the vertical stabilizer. Fundamentally, the question is about both: sweep is generally associated with high (transonic) speeds, and otherwise better be avoided, so why would you design a swept tail for a very slow aircraft (like this Cessna)?
            – Zeus
            Sep 5 at 0:20










            up vote
            4
            down vote













            The tail is swept to move the aerodynamic center aft to provide more "leverage" for the tail in generating down force. Same as sweeping the fin, although that is also for looks. If the airplane had a straight fin and straight horizontal tail, the tail surfaces would have to be larger to have the same tail "volume" (area x moment arm) or the fuselage itself would have to be longer.



            A bit of a free lunch by providing slightly more tail volume than a straight tail, with almost no weight penalty.






            share|improve this answer
























              up vote
              4
              down vote













              The tail is swept to move the aerodynamic center aft to provide more "leverage" for the tail in generating down force. Same as sweeping the fin, although that is also for looks. If the airplane had a straight fin and straight horizontal tail, the tail surfaces would have to be larger to have the same tail "volume" (area x moment arm) or the fuselage itself would have to be longer.



              A bit of a free lunch by providing slightly more tail volume than a straight tail, with almost no weight penalty.






              share|improve this answer






















                up vote
                4
                down vote










                up vote
                4
                down vote









                The tail is swept to move the aerodynamic center aft to provide more "leverage" for the tail in generating down force. Same as sweeping the fin, although that is also for looks. If the airplane had a straight fin and straight horizontal tail, the tail surfaces would have to be larger to have the same tail "volume" (area x moment arm) or the fuselage itself would have to be longer.



                A bit of a free lunch by providing slightly more tail volume than a straight tail, with almost no weight penalty.






                share|improve this answer












                The tail is swept to move the aerodynamic center aft to provide more "leverage" for the tail in generating down force. Same as sweeping the fin, although that is also for looks. If the airplane had a straight fin and straight horizontal tail, the tail surfaces would have to be larger to have the same tail "volume" (area x moment arm) or the fuselage itself would have to be longer.



                A bit of a free lunch by providing slightly more tail volume than a straight tail, with almost no weight penalty.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Sep 3 at 23:47









                John K

                7,494724




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