Pros and cons of tailess aircraft?

Question

aerodynamics of an unstable aircraft

Answer 1

You'll have an easier time flying a house brick that you will a tailless aircraft.  Without stabilisation, the aircraft will be subject to phugoid oscillations and dutch rolls that would eventually cause the aircraft to be ripped apart midflight due to the stresses imposed on the airframe, or impact the ground.

Best example would be Japan Airlines flight 123, the B747 lost its vertical stabiliser early in the flight and crashed in mountains north of Tokyo.

Answer 2

Pros: Less drag and less weight.

Cons: Can't fly without computerstabilization.

Practical just for military aircraft. FAA will not certify civil planes which are instable.

Answer 3

Hello??  Beech Starship,  Rutan Long Easy, in a sense Peaggio Avanti....There are several in service right now (except only 3 starships) I have personally worked on a few.  Horizontal stabilization is provided through the use of canards which are small wing like structures on the front of the aircraft. As fo pros and cons, other than availability of parts it is just another "ford-chevy" arguement.