The wing tips I made this year improved the performance of my RV-6A in a couple of ways - speed increased 3 kts at 6,000 ft density altitude and it is rock solid in flight. The first was expected but the second was a surprise. When I came back from the EAA Chapter 732 meeting Sunday I greased it on and made the first taxiway turnoff - no float, balloon or bouncing around in light chop. Every time I go out in the garage I look at the molds and have a lot of satisfaction. Now the cross country air race season is over and I look ahead to next year wondering what I can do to gain a little more speed without putting out a lot of money.
The thing that I think has potential and will give me a lot of satisfaction is making new wheel fairings. These will be intended for racing. I'm not buying the fat bulbous shape as unquestionably the very best that can be done. I think they should have a round ended leading edge that does not change there effect on drag with changes in AOA or yaw. They have to be large enought to enclose the brakes and tires except for the bottom inch of the tires with an inch of internal clearance at the tightest fit points. There should be a concave surface of uniform depression on all sides on all sides after the wheels extending to a blended return to the slipstream at the trailing edge. Finally, there should be a rubber seal between the fairings and the tires.
Even if the effort is a failure I will end up with some fine looking molds that I can mount for display like the tip molds.
OK critics, hit me with your wisdom.
Bob Axsom
The thing that I think has potential and will give me a lot of satisfaction is making new wheel fairings. These will be intended for racing. I'm not buying the fat bulbous shape as unquestionably the very best that can be done. I think they should have a round ended leading edge that does not change there effect on drag with changes in AOA or yaw. They have to be large enought to enclose the brakes and tires except for the bottom inch of the tires with an inch of internal clearance at the tightest fit points. There should be a concave surface of uniform depression on all sides on all sides after the wheels extending to a blended return to the slipstream at the trailing edge. Finally, there should be a rubber seal between the fairings and the tires.
Even if the effort is a failure I will end up with some fine looking molds that I can mount for display like the tip molds.
OK critics, hit me with your wisdom.
Bob Axsom