Flaperon Ready - What does it Mean? What are Flaperons anyway?

Question: What are Flaperons and what is meant by the term Flaperon Ready?

Answer: The term Flaperons is used to describe Ailerons that can act as Ailerons AND act as Flaps. When we design Ailerons so that they can or must use two servos the model is Flaperon Ready.

The Flaperons in a Flaperon Ready model are not mandatory but we have designed the model so that the Ailerons can be activated as Flaperons if you use two servos for the ailerons and a computer radio.

Better Answer: Flaps are generally used for take offs and landings only. They hang down from the back edge of the wing and increase the lift of the wing enabling the model to take off and land at slower speeds. Landing at slower speeds can make landing a little easier on the nerves. Flaps go down only.

Ailerons are used all the time in flight. Ailerons go up and down.

By using two servos and a computer radio it is possible to use an Aileron like a Flap while still using it as an Aileron. This is called a Flaperon.

When we manufacture a model we always include Ailerons. When we design Ailerons so that they can or must use two servos the model is Flaperon Ready.

To take advantage of Flaperons in a Flaperon Ready model, you must use two servos for the Ailerons and must have a computer radio.

For information regarding Flaperon Deflection please see the following article,

Flaperon Deflection - How Much is about right?

Question: How much deflection should I use for my Flaperons? Can I overdo it?

Answer: Use 50-65% of the maximim aileron deflection. Any more than that will substantially reduce the effectiveness of your ailerons.

Better Answer: If you overdo the flaperon deflection (i.e. when using the ailerons as Flaps) beyond 50-65% of the maximum aileron deflection you will get little additional flap effect but will substantially reduce the effectiveness of the ailerons (i.e. ability to roll left or roll right).

When over deployed as a flap, the aileron cannot move further down as an aileron. The other aileron can move up so you end up with half the roll effect much like that you would experience with having only one aileron. In addition to the weaker  more sluggish roll effect of a single aileron you will have yaw induced by the differential in deflection between one aileron and the other.