Bill

Interesting reply! Boats and airplanes are very similar.

One burning question I have is... "How would you compare the characteristics of air, as opposed to water in regards to how it acts on a (air or water) foil? (I know that's a huge question)

Also do beachcat rudder, centreboards, cavitate, like skegs on windsurfers?

The aircraft that I am familiar with that has swept wings was a German made jet called the "Hansa Jet". I've only seen one in person and it was a very nice looking aircraft.

Apparantly the reason why sweeping forward the wings never caught on has to do with the structural difficulties associated with the spar.

Although having said that, the spar being more aft gave the aircraft an advantage, in that passengers did not have to climb over it.

Lots of straight winged aicraft including our Beachcraft KingAir 350...

http://www.raytheonaircraft.com/beechcraft/king_air_350/photo_gallery.htm

have Tipsails or Winglets. They make a huge difference in the aircraft handling characteristics. The ailerons are considerably more solid, partly due to the lack of spanwise flow and partly due to the rudderlike tipsails.

We also put on the "Tail Strakes" kit which makes the airplane Dutch Roll in turbulence.

Gliders have such fascinating designs. Quite often the Radio controlled gliders come out with great and sometimes crazy ideas designwise.

Motor boat engines have used stabilizers for years for the same reason that "Stealth" uses them.

Interesting stuff!