> 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

Hi guys,
First Time I'm posting here, but I figured I had a little info to share.
I used to build and fly RC model airplanes and a friend of mine wanted me to
build him
a forward swept wing plane from a set of plans he had.
it had a standard fuselage and the wings started from about the  normal
location.
We found that the center of gravity had to be very far forward to maintain
stable flight.
He actually had to add a pretty large chunk of lead to the nose of the
aircraft. Also they detected a
slight instabillity when pulling out of a loop. Could possibly have been a
piloting error but I don't know
because I never got to fly it myself.
I'll try and attach a couple of photo's of the model.
Dan

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