On a full-flying stab or rudder, where should the hinge point be to get the least amount of stress on the pivot?

I know you're not a fan of full-flying tails but I'm hoping to get some pointers anyway (or at least pointers to pointers). On a full-flying stab or rudder, where should the hinge point be to get the least amount of stress on the pivot?

Don, full-flying tails have their place, it's just that model sailplanes are usually not that place in my experience. Supersonic jets are another matter entirely. On model sailplanes they can work ok, it's just that I can usually get better results from a conventional hinged control surface in most cases. There are occasionally exceptions, and if I ever find one of those I'll use a full-flying tail.

Hinge location is a simple matter. You want to be sure to have an airfoil with zero pitching moment, and hinge it at its aerodynamic center. For these reasons use a symmetrical airfoil, and hinge it at 25% aft of the leading edge of the mean aerodynamic chord, the chord where half the area is inboard and half the area is outboard. On a single tapered (trapezoidal) tail panel, the mean aerodynamic chord is slightly inboard of the middle of the panel.

Don Stackhouse @ DJ Aerotech