Rallylancer122
Well Known Member
Hi All,
Through a series of unfortunate events the rudder on my RV8 was damaged. I got a new one from a builder who built a tail kit and stopped there. The workmanship is great, but he did something I haven't seen before.
The leading edge of the rudder is not rolled and riveted per Vans. Instead it's gently folded in, with a significant gap, and not riveted together. He said some builders were doing this now, with the idea that it reduces the gap between the back channel of the fin and the rudder, in theory reducing drag. In other words, it effectively turns the leading edge of the rudder into a gap seal.
This makes sense to me, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something? I tried searching it but didn't come up with anything. (If I missed a previous discussion, my apologies!)
Thanks!
DEM
Through a series of unfortunate events the rudder on my RV8 was damaged. I got a new one from a builder who built a tail kit and stopped there. The workmanship is great, but he did something I haven't seen before.
The leading edge of the rudder is not rolled and riveted per Vans. Instead it's gently folded in, with a significant gap, and not riveted together. He said some builders were doing this now, with the idea that it reduces the gap between the back channel of the fin and the rudder, in theory reducing drag. In other words, it effectively turns the leading edge of the rudder into a gap seal.
This makes sense to me, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something? I tried searching it but didn't come up with anything. (If I missed a previous discussion, my apologies!)
Thanks!
DEM