Center of Gravity Payload Tail 
Pilot Institute
JUNE 4, 2025
Have you ever seen an airplane with no tail and no vertical fin, but with just a sleek wing? They prove that with the right aerodynamic tricks, you dont need a tail to fly. A tailless aircraft may still have a fuselage and a vertical tail (fin and rudder). How does the tail do this? Ever wondered how it stays balanced?
Pilot Institute
APRIL 12, 2025
If we understand it well enough, we can harness this phenomenon to help us even defy gravity. Developments in aircraft design and engine technology have allowed us to fly farther, faster, and carry more payload. Helicopters use a small rotor mounted on the tail that produces sideways thrust to counter the main rotors torque reaction.
Plane and Pilot
OCTOBER 3, 2024
True, a slightly higher aspect ratio wing was desired, which in turn required a larger vertical tail and thus a little extra mass, but the size, approximately 20% larger than a Widgeon, was set. The Mallard—it’s a trike—has a tail stinger because it otherwise falls on its tail when loading.” lb/sq ft Power loading 10.32
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