{ "version": "2026-10-20", "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.", "slug": "spoiler", "name": "Spoiler", "kind": "standard", "category": "Aircraft design", "group": "Control surfaces", "year": null, "question": "What do spoilers do on a wing?", "tags": [ "vehicle design", "control surfaces", "rc design", "aerodynamics" ], "aliases": [ "spoiler", "spoilers", "glider spoiler", "rc glider spoiler", "air brake wing", "spoilerons", "lift dumper", "spoiler roll control", "spoiler size glider" ], "overall_mm": { "length": null, "width": null, "height": null }, "official_cad": false, "xem_status": "free-files", "les": false, "free_files": 1, "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/spoiler/", "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/spoiler/sheet.txt", "sheet": { "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio", "overall_mm": { "length": null, "width": null, "height": null }, "notes": [ "Spoilers deploy from the upper surface to spoil the flow, cutting lift and adding drag; they give roll control with no adverse yaw, descent without speed gain, and better braking after landing (FAA PHAK ch.6).", "Gliders use them to control descent rate (FAA). Drela's 3 m Bubble Dancer RC sailplane uses 'a very big 2 x 36 in spoiler' for landing (CRRC).", "Used on: Bubble Dancer (RC sailplane).", "The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle." ], "table": { "columns": [ "parameter", "value or range", "source" ], "rows": [ [ "Bubble Dancer spoiler", "2 in x 36 in on a 120 in span", "CRRC" ], [ "Reference build", "300 x 30 mm panel, 60 deg", "illustrative" ] ] } }, "sheet_text": "Spoiler — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/spoiler/ (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- Spoilers deploy from the upper surface to spoil the flow, cutting lift and adding drag; they give roll control with no adverse yaw, descent without speed gain, and better braking after landing (FAA PHAK ch.6).\n- Gliders use them to control descent rate (FAA). Drela's 3 m Bubble Dancer RC sailplane uses 'a very big 2 x 36 in spoiler' for landing (CRRC).\n- Used on: Bubble Dancer (RC sailplane).\n- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.\n\nparameter value or range source\nBubble Dancer spoiler 2 in x 36 in on a 120 in span CRRC\nReference build 300 x 30 mm panel, 60 deg illustrative\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- FAA: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Ch. 6 Flight Controls — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/08_phak_ch6.pdf\n- Charles River Radio Controllers (M. Drela designs): Bubble Dancer 3m RES sailplane — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://charlesriverrc.org/articles/on-line-plans/mark-drela-designs/bubble-dancer/\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/spoiler/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=spoiler\n", "sources": [ { "publisher": "FAA", "title": "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Ch. 6 Flight Controls", "url": "https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/08_phak_ch6.pdf", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false }, { "publisher": "Charles River Radio Controllers (M. Drela designs)", "title": "Bubble Dancer 3m RES sailplane", "url": "https://charlesriverrc.org/articles/on-line-plans/mark-drela-designs/bubble-dancer/", "formats": [ "web" ], "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts", "license_verified": true, "hosted": false } ], "xem": { "status": "free-files", "sheet_free": true, "mesh_price_usd": null, "step_price_usd": null, "tolerance_mm": null }, "related": [ "aileron", "frise-aileron", "differential-ailerons", "elevon", "flaperon", "trim-tab" ], "fits": [], "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)", "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.", "mating": [], "faq": [ { "q": "Spoilers vs flaps on a glider?", "a": "Spoilers dump lift and add drag without speeding up, which suits glider landings (FAA PHAK ch.6)." } ], "files_license": { "name": "Xem Studio Design License", "holder": "Xem Studio", "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/", "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files." }, "offers": [ { "file": "spoiler-wing-segment", "formats": [ "step", "stl" ], "price_usd": 0, "license": "Xem Studio Design License", "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/spoiler/spoiler-wing-segment.step", "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/spoiler/spoiler-wing-segment.stl", "note": "Wing segment with an upper-surface spoiler panel raised 35° (illustrative)" } ], "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/spoiler/index.md" }