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Spoiler

What do spoilers do on a wing? · Standard part · basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio

Also called: spoilers, glider spoiler, rc glider spoiler, air brake wing, spoilerons, lift dumper, spoiler roll control, spoiler size glider

Exact dimensions. True size, with no printing tolerance added.

sizes
2 in table

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.

Spoiler size chart

parametervalue or rangesource
Bubble Dancer spoiler2 in x 36 in on a 120 in spanCRRC
Reference build300 x 30 mm panel, 60 degillustrative

Where the files are

Other publishers' files are linked, not hosted. "verify" = check the license at the link before commercial use.

FAAPilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Ch. 6 Flight ControlswebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
Charles River Radio Controllers (M. Drela designs)Bubble Dancer 3m RES sailplanewebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts

Free files

★ Free files 1 parts. Xem Studio design: free to use, print and sell things from; not to be republished as files. Xem Studio Design License. index.json

spoiler-wing-segmentWing segment with an upper-surface spoiler panel raised 35° (illustrative)STEP · STL
Let your AI pull this. Add https://xemstudio.com/mcp to Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any MCP client (free, no account, one minute) and it can look up exact sizes, mating fits and free STEP/STL from every chat.
Set it up →

Plain text: sheet.txt · JSON: /api/geometry?object=spoiler

Spoiler, isometric render of a generated part
Render of spoiler-wing-segment from the free STEP; not to scale.

Fits with

Aileron, isometric render of a generated part
Aileron7 sizes★ 1 file
Frise aileron, isometric render of a generated part
Frise aileron3 sizes★ 1 file
Differential ailerons, isometric render of a generated part
Differential ailerons4 sizes★ 1 file
Elevon, isometric render of a generated part
Elevon2 sizes★ 1 file
Flaperon, isometric render of a generated part
Flaperon3 sizes★ 1 file
Trim tab and antiservo tab2 sizes★ sheet

Questions

Spoilers vs flaps on a glider?

Spoilers dump lift and add drag without speeding up, which suits glider landings (FAA PHAK ch.6).