Another thought on gap seals for the Europa's flaps: add a strip
of 1/2 inch wide foam tape along the bottom of the flap closeout
where the LE of the flap comes closest in the retracted position.
There is a gap of 1/8 inch here (accurately set during
construction) which should seal the flow when filled by the foam
tape. Closed cell foam tape is less expensive than teflon seals
since it isn't designed specifically for use on aircraft....
John N44EU
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Fillinger" <fillinger@ameritech.net>
Subject: Re: Gap Seals
> Gap seals are most effective when pressure differential
above/below
> the wing surface is the greatest -- in the climb. Hence they
are very
> popular on gliders.
>
> Regards,
> Fred F., A063
>
> > Message text written by "Garry Stout"
> >> While strolling through the various aircraft displays at
Sun'N Fun I
> >> stopped to examine the Stemme motor glider. I noticed that
mylar "gap
> >> seals" were fitted to both the ailerons and the flaps, on
the bottom and
> >> top gaps. The sales representative explained that the gap
seals reduced
> >> drag, and improved the aileron roll rates. Since I am
interested in
> >> anything that improves performance I thought I'd look into
it. Has anyone
> >> tried this? Was it worthwhile? What kind of changes did
you experience?
> >
> > Go to< wingsandwheels.com> and find the materials for doing
internal and
> > external gap seals in this glider (sailplane) related
mail-order company.
> > The owner is Tim Mara and he will be glad to counsel you on
what it takes
> > to avoid air passage through the gap at any control surface.
Reduction in
> > drag and improvement in control response are the advantages
of this simple
> > and cheap upgrade as any glider driver will tell you. Go for
the internal
> > seals first and see what the results are.
> >
> > Herbert
>
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