> Russell,
> Do any aircraft use that principle to reduce wing tip vortices?
> George ( down under)

There have been a number of research projects by NASA and others over
the years. For example, see the X-29:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/X29/index.html

The significant stumbling block is that forward swept wings are
inherently unstable (a minor yaw causes a pronounced roll in the
*opposite* direction). The experiments have used computer-augmented
control to maintain stable flight behavior. The reliability
requirements of commercial aircraft will probably preclude using
computer-augmented stability, and therefore forward swept wings. Don't
even dream about it appearing in GA. It is still a possibility in
military aircraft.

Russell Kent


Russell,
There have been several non-computer controlled aircraft with forward
sweep. Not radical forward sweep but forward sweep none the less. One of
the dornier bombers in WW2 had forward sweep as did one of Burt Rutan
and Roncz's collaborations.
Bill Jepson

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