Design and Analysis of the Effect of Trimmable Vertical Stabilizers for Enhanced Aircraft Maneuverability and Directional Stability

The vertical stabilizer, a critical component of an aircraft, ensures stability during flight by correcting yawing motion. This study, which focuses on the design and analysis of a trimmable vertical stabilizer for enhanced maneuverability and directional stability, has practical implications for the field. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a state-space model, the study evaluates the stabilizer’s impact on control moments, angle of turns, and overall flight efficiency. The key results demonstrate improved aerodynamic performance with significant gains in maneuverability and stability. This paper concludes that incorporating a trimmable vertical stabilizer can lead to improved flight performance, particularly in challenging conditions such as crosswinds, thereby informing future aircraft design and operation.