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Improved the quality of the title of this post (http://meta.aviation.stackexchange.com/q/1485/19)
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DeltaLima ♦
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Why are the F/A-18 rudder positionrudders deflected in opposing directions during takeoff?

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edit approved Aug 23, 2015 at 15:57
Peter Mortensen
edit approved Aug 23, 2015 at 15:57
Peter Mortensen
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F/A-18 Rudderrudder position during takeoff

Looking at some videos and photos of F/A-18 HornetsF/A-18 Hornets and SuperhornetsSuper Hornets taking off from carriers and from airfields, I recognised, that the left rudder is pointing right, and the right rudder pointing left.

Here's a picture:   

enter image description hereEnter image description here

  • Why is that? Are there any aerodynamic advantages?
  • Is it also used as aan airbrake to slow the plane down at landings?
  • At which point of the flights are the rudders in this position and why? (Takeoff, Landinglanding, Cruisingcruising, or both?)
  • Does the pilot steer them or is the work done by a computer?

F/A-18 Rudder position during takeoff

Looking at some videos and photos of F/A-18 Hornets and Superhornets taking off from carriers and from airfields, I recognised, that the left rudder is pointing right and the right rudder pointing left.

Here's a picture:  enter image description here

  • Why is that? Are there any aerodynamic advantages?
  • Is it also used as a airbrake to slow the plane down at landings?
  • At which point of the flights are the rudders in this position and why? (Takeoff, Landing, Cruising, both?)
  • Does the pilot steer them or is the work done by a computer?

F/A-18 rudder position during takeoff

Looking at some videos and photos of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets taking off from carriers and from airfields, I recognised that the left rudder is pointing right, and the right rudder pointing left.

Here's a picture: 

Enter image description here

  • Why is that? Are there any aerodynamic advantages?
  • Is it also used as an airbrake to slow the plane down at landings?
  • At which point of the flights are the rudders in this position and why? (Takeoff, landing, cruising, or both?)
  • Does the pilot steer them or is the work done by a computer?
Tweeted twitter.com/#!/StackAviation/status/635311830093705216
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jklingler
jklingler
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jklingler
jklingler
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