Why is the rudder on a large ship small in comparison with the rudder on a small airplane?

Question

Why is the rudder on a large ship small in comparison with the rudder on a small airplane?

Answer 1

They operate in different medias, and one is more critical than the other.

Answer 2

Viscosity of the material in which the rudder is passing through. Do and experiment with a canoe paddle, wave a paddle through the air, and then try and pass it through the water with the same effort and at the same speed. The water just has a lot more "grab."

Additionally, on many boats the rudder is very close to the prop, so you are also redirecting the thrust from the engine, this aids in the turning process. On many planes the rudder does not redirect the thrust from the engine(s).

Answer 3

A large rudder would improve the radius and response of the ship's turning, but a big ship mostly goes in a straight line most of the time, and a big rudder would be a drag, literally.  If it needs a tight turn, tugboats help them out.

An airplane is going through air, so it needs a larger 'rudder' because air is less dense than water.  Also, an airplane needs quick response, especially when taking off and landing.

Answer 4

Because the large ship is advanced,it just needs the small rudder,while the rudder on a small airplane is big so that it can be operated easily.

Answer 5

It is because water is more dense than air, so the rudder of a ship has more response per square foot than the rudder of an airplane.

When operating jet aircraft at high speeds, particularly over Mach 1, it is possible to fly the aircraft with just trim tab adjustments, unless violent air combat movements are necessary.

Regards,

Dan