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10-19-2017, 07:17 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canton, MI
Posts: 234
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Extending lower cowl slot - how much is too much?
We have an RV-10 with a 3-blade prop. We had to extend the nose wheel slot several inches to make installing the lower cowl even possible, but even then it's still a difficult 2-man job that requires removal of the spinner.
Another RV-10 builder suggested extending the slot even more and then adding a removable plate to cover the slot forward of the nose wheel stalk. Extending the slot would definitely make this job easier, but how much is too much? I certainly don't want to impair the structural integrity of anything. Also, is adding a cover plate necessary? It seems to me that the extra slot length would allow more air to flow into the engine compartment, which I'm thinking is good.
P.S. - Airworthiness certificate issued yesterday. It's only a matter of days till the first flight.
__________________
Jack and Dave Groat, father and son
RV-10 N1861G
Build #41389, started Oct 2012
Current status: 1st Flight 11/10/17
50 hour oil change: 8/29/19
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10-19-2017, 07:36 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunman, IN
Posts: 2,189
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Cooling
Letting more air in at that location may not do exactly what you think...
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Bob
Aerospace Engineer '88
RV-10
Structure - 90% Done
Cabin Top - Aaarrghhh...
EFII System 32 - Done
297 HP Barrett Hung
ShowPlanes Cowl with Skybolts Fitted - Beautiful
Wiring...
Dues+ Paid 2019,...Thanks DR+
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10-19-2017, 07:39 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,597
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JackinMichigan
We have an RV-10 with a 3-blade prop. We had to extend the nose wheel slot several inches to make installing the lower cowl even possible, but even then it's still a difficult 2-man job that requires removal of the spinner.
Another RV-10 builder suggested extending the slot even more and then adding a removable plate to cover the slot forward of the nose wheel stalk. Extending the slot would definitely make this job easier, but how much is too much? I certainly don't want to impair the structural integrity of anything. Also, is adding a cover plate necessary? It seems to me that the extra slot length would allow more air to flow into the engine compartment, which I'm thinking is good.
P.S. - Airworthiness certificate issued yesterday. It's only a matter of days till the first flight.
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That is what I did. I did not like the thought of the now separated fiberglass bouncing around. I added a .032? aluminum plate with nutplates on the inside (easy to install from the outside) to cover the slot forward of the gear leg. Keep a good gap between the gear leg fairing and the plate.
I found that on real hot days leaving the plate out added a bit of engine cooling. For those days I use a single short piece of .063? angle (with nutplates) that goes across the gap toward the rear - the rest is left open.
Carl
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10-19-2017, 11:16 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Prosper, TX
Posts: 373
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Gear Leg Slot
It's important to consider the effect of the enlarged slot on engine cooling in various flight attitudes. In cruise, the exposed slot may indeed add cooling capacity, but it's not needed and just presents unnecessary cooling drag. On the other hand, on takeoff and climb, cooling demand is highest, but the slot, now presented at a relatively higher angle of attack to the airstream, actually reduces the pressure differential between the top and bottom cowl and provides less cooling. Answer: make the slot as long as you like but fill it in with a plate if you want to preserve the efficient cooling capacity already designed in.
__________________
RV-10 N415JS
Slow build kit #40874
Homebuilt Kit Champion Oshkosh 2019
Atlantic crossings: 2
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10-19-2017, 11:29 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich
That is what I did. I did not like the thought of the now separated fiberglass bouncing around. I added a .032? aluminum plate with nutplates on the inside (easy to install from the outside) to cover the slot forward of the gear leg. Keep a good gap between the gear leg fairing and the plate
Carl
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I did the same. I also kept the piece of fiberglass matrix that I cut out of the cowl, and glued it to that plate, just for appearances.
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10-19-2017, 11:30 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,597
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I agree with what Paddy said.
Carl
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11-04-2017, 03:18 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Albany Western Australia
Posts: 54
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Anything’s got to be better than having to have two people, and removing the spinner to get that bottom cowl off. Know your question related to the slot in front of the nose wheel but two things that will be of great help with cowl removing are............. cut a six or seven inch slot in one of the brides good towels to fit over the propeller to engine connection, slide both sides down behind and in between the spinner and top and bottom cowls, the bits that hang below the spinner can be gaffer taped to the spinner, now both top and bottom cowls can be removed without damaging that award winning paint job. .....Second, consider fitting a airintake snorkel as described in VAF 11-01-2017 RV10 forum, the ability to remove that connection between fab box and cowl before fitting the cowls basically means the bottom cowl only needs to clear the firewall piano hinges before it can be lowered to clear the spinner. Cheers from Western Australia
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11-04-2017, 08:26 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 434
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Was considering pro sealing some overlapping baffle seal material to close the gap but still allow the slot for removal, has anyone done that?
__________________
Dave Ford
Cadillac, Mi
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