Hi everyone,

Does an aircraft's length measurement include the prop?

Mark

short answer : Yes

the length is overall or Tip to Tip, thus if you have a drawing (three view) and you know the scale (or even is you don't ), get out your ruler (scale) and measure the length from tip to tip; then measure from front of the coweling to end of the rudder. Divide these two numbers (Bigger into smaller) to get a ratio (0.xxx) and multiply the overall length by the ratio to get the fuselage length.

The above works for inches or metrics,

Enjoy
Captn Tommy

Thanks Tom!!

Mark

I've always wondered, for tail-draggers - is the length measured along the aircraft's longitudinal axis, or is it the distance between the furthest forward and furthest aft points when it's on the ground? The latter ought to be shorter. A similar question on height: on the ground, or the distance between the lowest and highest points when in level flight?

At least the span doesn't change ... oh no, wait, it does!

AH! an age old problem...

Length - draw a Line from the center of the prop on the side profile Past the tip of the tail. Most planes have a vertical rudder post, so make sure your center line (That's what the line is called(though is not always down the center of the airplane) Put a vertical line up from the Center line at the tips of the front and tail, that is your length. Ireegadless of how it sits on the grouond.

Wing span - Same as above, except on the front view of the drawing,,,, but if you are going to build a model you HAVE TO take into account the dihedral (angle up or down of the wing or your wing will be short.

Height is usually the measure from the ground to the highest part of the aircraft,
But not always. Best for modeling height is to measure as above from a good profile or 3-view.

Enjoy
Captn Tommy