The difference with fairings

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cjensen
Whiskey Victor
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The difference with fairings

Post by cjensen »

I have a bunch of numbers that I've been collecting since first flight, but the biggest surprise (shouldn't have been) is the difference in cruise speeds that the gear fairings make.

With no fairings, at 2600rpm, 6500', TAS 152kts.
Gear leg fairings only, 2600rpm, 6500', TAS 162kts.
Gear leg fairings and wheel pants (no intersection fairings), 2600rpm, 6500', TAS 174kts.

That's +22kts!! I'm really looking forward to the full faired number!!

The worst part about the pants being on now, is that it increased my heavy left wing... :roll:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
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hydroguy2
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Re: The difference with fairings

Post by hydroguy2 »

cjensen wrote:....The worst part about the pants being on now, is that it increased my heavy left wing... :roll:
'cuz you're going to fast. :)...nice problem to have.

I found once i got going over 170kts, mine really want to roll left. Finding the aileron sitting up ~1/8" and then dropping it, mine is hands off now.

Congrats on finding the speed secret. :wink:
Brian
Townsend, MT

lancef53
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Post by lancef53 »

That sounds awesome!!
RV 8
First Flight--4-3-2010

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BSwayze
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Post by BSwayze »

Chad,

I remember my first technical counselor, Randy Lervold, writing a report about how much the intersection fairings ALONE made a difference in his stall speed as well as top speed. It's amazing how draggy things are without these fairings. His plane stalled at a lower speed with all the fairings on, if I recall correctly, which of course affected his landing procedures.

I would be very interested in hearing about the other end of the speed envelope as well. What do these fairings do to your stall speeds? Have you thought about that, or logged any numbers on that?
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

I will for sure be testing the low end again after the fairings are all on...I'm very curious to see what it will do to the stall speed. I stall dirty right now at 43kts, clean at 49kts. I'm hoping to get my fairings in this week...ordered them on 1/10/11...
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

that reminds me I need to switch my Dynon to read out Kts vs Mph
Brian
Townsend, MT

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

I've never been able to get used to flying MPH... :dunno:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
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Brantel
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Post by Brantel »

Me either...just be careful switching back and forth so you don't get to slow accidently!!!
Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
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