Ron Lee
Well Known Member
At data performed at 11,500' DA WOT. RV-6A, O-360, 9.5 pistons, carb.
Four course speed runs using IAS. As long as all the IAS were close I considered it a valid test.
1) No fairings or wheelpants on. Gear leg stiffener on back of nose gear.
Baseline for speed changes (IAS speeds: 156, 156, 155, 155 mph)
2) Added main gear leg fairings, intersection fairings and wheelpants. Wheelpants primed and basically smooth but not painted. All other parts painted. (IAS speeds: 173, 171, 172, 172 mph)
Speed increase over baseline 16 mph. RPM increased by about 80 as well.
3) Added painted nose gear leg fairing, intersection fairing (to bottom of cowl) and unfinished (not even primer) nose wheel pant. (IAS Speeds: 175, 174, 175, 173 mph)
Speed increase about 3 mph.
Total about 19 mph. It may have been higher if the baseline did not have the nose gear leg stiffener which may have acted a bit like a fairing.
Four course speed runs using IAS. As long as all the IAS were close I considered it a valid test.
1) No fairings or wheelpants on. Gear leg stiffener on back of nose gear.
Baseline for speed changes (IAS speeds: 156, 156, 155, 155 mph)
2) Added main gear leg fairings, intersection fairings and wheelpants. Wheelpants primed and basically smooth but not painted. All other parts painted. (IAS speeds: 173, 171, 172, 172 mph)
Speed increase over baseline 16 mph. RPM increased by about 80 as well.
3) Added painted nose gear leg fairing, intersection fairing (to bottom of cowl) and unfinished (not even primer) nose wheel pant. (IAS Speeds: 175, 174, 175, 173 mph)
Speed increase about 3 mph.
Total about 19 mph. It may have been higher if the baseline did not have the nose gear leg stiffener which may have acted a bit like a fairing.
Last edited: