Curious what everybody thinks about the winglets on the new Aveo ZipTips: Vegas or Reno editions - https://www.aveoengineering.com/aveo-ziptips-vegas-for-vans-aircraft/
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New Aveo ZipTips: Vegas, Reno - The Winglet Poll
- Thread starter bkervaski
- Start date
How about the non-winglet AeroLED VXi? https://aeroleds.com/products/aerosun-vxi/
Initial reviews of these are that they require a lot of finishing work, they come fairly raw, more of a kit.
Yes, I have them in a box that I haven't opened yet, but understand they require a bit of work. Nicely packed though.
That said, not sure about the Vegas tips, but I heard the trailing edge didn't align with the trailing edge of the wing on the previous Zip Tips. So not exactly plug-n-play there either.
I didnt see anything about performance difference with the winglets.
Funny story; a true craftsman/experimenter at KSAC built a number of test wingtips for his -6. Just for fun.
He made curve up, curve down, plates, and a few more options I cant remember.
Frighteningly, he would set by flying the -6 with the new test tip on one wing and the stock -6 on the other.
He determined the difference by roll rate of the plane!
After all that he then asked to use my stock -7 batman wingtip for a test.
Behold, the stock -7 batman had the best performance of all.
Short conclusion, if the Ziptip winglets have no performance advantage, count me out.
Funny story; a true craftsman/experimenter at KSAC built a number of test wingtips for his -6. Just for fun.
He made curve up, curve down, plates, and a few more options I cant remember.
Frighteningly, he would set by flying the -6 with the new test tip on one wing and the stock -6 on the other.
He determined the difference by roll rate of the plane!
After all that he then asked to use my stock -7 batman wingtip for a test.
Behold, the stock -7 batman had the best performance of all.
Short conclusion, if the Ziptip winglets have no performance advantage, count me out.
If @scsmith says they're going to do something positive for the performance of the airplane (e.g. lower drag, greater lift, higher apparent airspeed 
), then I would consider them.
I do like the enhanced ground and tail livery lighting.
As an aside -- Long ago/Far away ( ~2016 or so ) the LED power supply/drivers in the Aveo's were VERY noisy (excessive RFI) and would fuzz-out the Com, Nav, and GPS when enabled. Also, the circuit board, electronics mounting inside the cove had a tendency to break and require additional glass/structure to mount. Hopefully they've fixed these issues.
), then I would consider them.I do like the enhanced ground and tail livery lighting.
As an aside -- Long ago/Far away ( ~2016 or so ) the LED power supply/drivers in the Aveo's were VERY noisy (excessive RFI) and would fuzz-out the Com, Nav, and GPS when enabled. Also, the circuit board, electronics mounting inside the cove had a tendency to break and require additional glass/structure to mount. Hopefully they've fixed these issues.
Early Zip Tips did have an issue with RFI that effected Garmins GTN comms and could be heard when landing, taxi or strobes were turned on. Aveo replaced everyone's modules with new ones. Mine were replaced twice before the issue was resolved. Zip Tips produced after 2017 have not had any issues from what I've observed.
Yes, pricing is available if you call them.
-135Driver
Member
I’ve been in contact with Ryan at AeroLeds about their VXi wingtips. The initial run of the wingtips were done by Vans I believe and there were some issues with the CAD file and mold that generated a lot of work by the builder. Since Vans ch11, AeroLeds has taken over the wingtip making process as well. They’ve improved the CAD files and are producing new molds. The results appear to be a much improved product than before. And I hope will have a carbon fiber layup that’ll allow a nice clear coat finish.
I voted 'other' because I want to know more. Like Bruce and Decker, I'd like to know how the 'winglets' do (or don't) enhance performance. I'm no aero engineer, but as I look at those upturned aft tip edges, to me it looks like they would actually excite and trigger enhanced wingtip vortices. I thought true winglets act as an air fence to suppress such vortices, cutting down on drag and increasing lift.
I do like the lighting scheme, though.
I do like the lighting scheme, though.
That's what Darryl Hudec used on his award winning Rocket. He had a small problem when he initially installed them of the lenses fogging, but I think they corrected the design shortly after. I think he's still pretty happy with them.
alb2004
I'm New Here
I have ziptips w/ winglets on my RV8. They look really neat but Im not sure about the performance improvement. Overall finish isnt bad but it will need some work on the seam between the 2 halves of the winglet when it goes in for paint. The trailing edge fits pretty well but the leading edge has a bit of a gap. I only have COM interference when the strobes are on and I think that is due to an issue with the wiring and not with the LED drivers.
I put "other" because I have them on our 14A and love the way they look. No idea on performance since this is the first RV we've owned and it had them when we got it. Having the rear position light on the rear edge of the zip tip is nice because they are really really bright and there's one on each wing tip. And the position light on the tail is no longer there so it's nice and clean looking. Haven't noticed any comm interference. Lots of compliments everywhere we go.
RE Com interference....What wiring configuration did you have? Did you have strobe (and other hot ends like landing/taxi lights and return ground in a shielded multi conductor? Twisted pair?
alb2004
I'm New Here
No idea what the wiring config was as I didnt build the plane. I will take a look once I get the plane back from the paint shop. Interference only happens on certain frequencies so it could also be a filtering issue.
