Rudder. The rudder is composed of two planes at right angles to each other and in the rear of the main surfaces. The vertical portion keeps the machine headed into the wind and causes it to glide in the direction in which it is started or head on into the wind. The horizontal rudder steadies the machine longitudinally and prevents the machine from suddenly diving or pitching. Neither of the rudder planes are movable.
The separate parts composing the framework are illustrated in Fig. 13.
Fig. 13.—Parts of rudder framework.
The cross section of all the sticks is the same, namely one inch square. The two long beams, A, are 8 feet 11 inches long. The two uprights, B, each 3 feet 10 inches long from the vertical members of the directional plane. The horizontal plane is made up of six horizontal strips, two of them, C, six feet long and four, D, two feet in length.
The horizontal plane is fitted together with half and half lap joints. It is first fastened with nails and then reinforced with brass corner braces.
Fig. 14.—Corners of horizontal rudder plane.
Corner braces are also used to strengthen the vertical plane.
