Abstract: A floating canard with geared tab to stabilize a missile as soon as the mile nose exits the launch tube when the center of pressure is forward of or close to the center of gravity. A freely pivotable canard has a geared tab hinged at its trailing edge. An inextendable link joins a pivot point on the missile body to the tab to provide gearing for the tab. As the canard moves in response to the local angle of attach the tab gearing will drive it further so that the force on the canard will tend to move the missile toward a zero angle of attack.