Developing New MLG Subfairings

[Bob Axsom]

The NLG subfairing was so effective that I have decided to do the same kind of modification to the main landing gear. So far all I have is the rough installation of clay on the right fairing.

Bob Axsom

[FlyerJumper]

Awesome. Anxiously awaiting the outcome!

[PlaneBuilderBill]

There was a guy years ago that sold add-on speed fairings similar to this for Grumman wheel pants....he called them "spats". The net effect was that very little of the tire was exposed....gotta land on pavement for sure. His name is Gene Plazak and he still has speed components for Grummans. He might be able to help...

Dallas Metroplex Aviation is owned and operated by Gene Plazak. 281-379-5430

[Bob Axsom]

This is such a custom fit for speed that each one has to be done individually. It isn't much of a problem just tedius. I did the nose gear already and the change in speed was remarkable. I do not expect much of a gain with the MLG sub fairings but I have to give it a shot.

Bob Axsom

[RVadmirer]

Don't forget to build ramps if you have rolling hangar doors!

[Bob Axsom]

These are not practical for general use and could be dangerous in the wrong situation. Don't try this at home - the custom subfairings are for N710BJ and racing only. This and the nose landing gear subfairing thread before are only to show the idea, the implementation and the results. Then if someone wants to try this on their own for speed purposes only they can copy the process at their own risk. I have no intention of going into business. This amounts to conducting another experiment and sharing the information.

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

I layed up the first rough shape over the clay, standard fairing and tires, cured them and finally pulled the flimsey first layer this afternoon. Photos below.

Bob Axsom

[flyeyes]

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

These are not practical for general use and could be dangerous in the wrong situation. Don't try this at home - the custom subfairings are for N710BJ and racing only. (snip)
Bob Axsom

Bob--I've thought about this in the past and wondered about making intentionally flimsy sub-fairings for a race.

What if you made the fairings out of pour-foam and "hard-shelled" them with micro? It seems that they would break away easily if contacted by a tire or the ground, but might last for a couple of (fast) flights.

Nice work BTW

[Bob Axsom]

I have an unwritten design requirement that no change shall have the potential for detracting from the airplanes appearance so I would not do that but it would do the drag reduction job and provide safety against fairing induced damage or nose over mentioned earlier. If you shape it right, so the so the interface angles between the fairing and the tire are small and the extension survives the first landing it probably will last a while. Don't let your tire pressure get low.

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

There is a lot of cleanup after laying up the first layer of a fiberglass part over airframe, tires and clay in an inverted close to the ground space. I have everything nearly ready for the second layer except sanding one of the subfairings but we have to prepare the plane for departure Friday morning for the race in Abilene, TX. Since the RV-8 that beat me at Texoma has dropped out, the pressure is reduced a bit. I plan to layup the second layer diagonally today then it will sit until next week before continuing.

Bob Axsom