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07-14-2020, 01:08 PM
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Salt Lake
Posts: 20
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Vortex Generators
Dear 6ers,
While talking with an RV4 owner over the weekend he brought up the subject of VGs. At one time he put VGs on the inboard wing and experimented a bit but later removed them because he thought they made the plane float on landing (his conclusion, not mine).
This got me to thinking about installing VGs on my 6A. I found an affordable set https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal.../stolspeed.php
At AS&S.
I've seen kits online in the 400 dollar range and most claim improvement in low speed handling and reduction in stall speed. I have also read about using turbulator tape for gliders with similar effect. My sailplane is covered with this stuff and I keep a roll handy for repairs or replacement. I know some RVs use turbulator tape on the tail but has anyone tried this on the top of a wing? Also, any real world experience with the AS turbulators?
Thanks
Kirk
RV12 Sold
RV6A Flying
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07-14-2020, 01:40 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 77
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I would recommend following the VG mfgr's installation instructions carefully.
JMHO: Putting VG's inboard but not outboard on the main wing is not particularly safe, in that you may stall one outboard wing while the inboard is still flying, a recipe for abrupt spin entry.
Instead, you always want the inboard wing to stall first, so that you retain some aileron control authority as stall initiates. Hence, better to install VG's outboard only, or on the entire wing, as is typically recommended.
And, once VG's are installed on the main wing, you normally want them on the tail as well, so you can retain control authority down to the roughly 9% lower stall speeds that you now have on the main wing.
-Paragon
Cincinnati, OH
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07-14-2020, 01:56 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,574
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Turbulator tapes on sailplanes are put in different places, for different purposes than VGs on wings.
The 23013.5 airfoil on RV 3/4/6/7/8 is famous for having a very sharp stall. We don't notice this on RVs because the aspect ratio is low and the rectangular wing stalls inboard first and has a gradual progression of stall area, even if each section stalls abruptly. It is likely that VGs would soften the stall some, probably make the airplane 'float' as described. Not saying that is good or bad.
There is likely to be a penalty in top speed, probably a good fraction of the gain in low speed. So you are just shifting the whole airplane performance curve slower.
__________________
Steve Smith
Aeronautical Engineer
RV-8 N825RV
IO-360 A1A
WW 200RV
"The Magic Carpet"
Hobbs 625
LS6-15/18W sailplane SOLD
bought my old LS6-A back!! 
VAF donation Jan 2020
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07-14-2020, 03:26 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 157
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VGs For The Masses
When are they going to vortex alternators? Sorry.
Kitplanes did an article a while back about an RV-6 owner experimenting with VGs on his plane. They did a little, but very little. I’ve never installed any. I’ve seen them go on airplanes from time to time and have never heard of any owner say they made a huge difference, although most report modest improvements in reduced stall speeds and improved handling. One thing I’ve never seen discussed is, I think they’d make it harder to wash the airplane. I’ve never seen or read of an improvement in cruise speed or top speed. I’ve been around the block a few times and I put VGs in the fad department, with various scientific wingtips, t-tails, blimps and curb feelers. Sexy, fun to talk about and experiment with, but in the end, not very useful for our airplanes.
Last edited by JDeanda : 07-14-2020 at 04:00 PM.
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07-14-2020, 03:29 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Victoria, Canada
Posts: 2,251
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Check this thread for actual flight test data on a similar wing: https://vansairforce.net/community/s...ight=Stolspeed
__________________
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V e r n. ====
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RV-9A complete
Harmon Rocket complete
S-21 wings complete
Victoria, BC (Summer)
Chandler, Az (Winter)
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07-14-2020, 06:03 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 959
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Nigel Speedy conducted flight tests using his RV-8 with and without VGs. One thing he did not do was experiment with the chordwise location of the VGs. His article appeared in Kitplanes.
" Vortex Generators on an RV-8": https://www.kitplanes.com/vortex-generators-on-an-rv-8/
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07-14-2020, 06:31 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 521
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I have a set on my -8, I'll give them to you if you come touch up the paint. 
__________________
Steve Rush
Arlington, WA
ArlingtonRV on YouTube
RV-8 (Bought Flying)
Glasair Sportsman (Sold)
RV-8 Tail, QB Fuselage (Sold)
RV-4 (Bought Flying) (Sold)
RV-9 Tail
RV-12 120018 Flying (Sold)
RV-7 Tail, Wings, Started Fuse (Sold)
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07-15-2020, 07:41 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 662
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I know several guys who have installed VGs on their Bonanzas. Most have removed them. Performance gains were not significant and washing the plane became hazardous to fingers.
__________________
Jim Averett
RV-8
TS36 - Silver Wings
Fredericksburg, TX
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07-15-2020, 08:27 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Posts: 1,474
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyinga
I know several guys who have installed VGs on their Bonanzas. Most have removed them. Performance gains were not significant and washing the plane became hazardous to fingers.
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It's a popular add to Barons as it seems to help low-speed and especially engine out handling. As you note, not much help for Bonanzas. When I bought a Bonanza I ruled out any with VGs for the reason you mention and I think they look hideous.
On an RV, with good low speed handling and low-ish stall speeds, not sure what real advantage there might be (need to read the Kitplanes article - I may change my mind after that!)
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07-15-2020, 09:32 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,456
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If you put vgs on a tailwheel airplane and they work, then the airplane will stall at a higher aoa. I expect for most rvs that will mean hitting the tailwheel first. It could also mean running out if aft stick at fwd cg. A good airplane design means everything is matched. Landing gear, tail size, cg range etc.if you then go changing one thing without changing the other things there is a good chance things won’t work anymore.
Supercub stol guys started adding slats to their airplanes and discovered they needed to change several other major things to make them work, like the gear and the tail.
Extending the stall range inboard is a very bad idea. You might drive the outboard wing to stall first, leading to a loss of roll control at the stall. Please don’t play with areodynamic mods without taking appropriate safety precautions and consulting with qualified people. Knowitall pilots at the coffee shop are not necessarily qualified people.
__________________
Scott Black
Old school simple VFR RV 4, O-320, wood prop, MGL iEfis Lite
VAF dues 2020
Instagram @sblack2154
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