Alan Stewart wrote:
>
> Speed kit: Cruise improvement to standard Europa.
> ...
> My initial conclusion is therefore that the speed kit has improved maximum
> cruise by around 3-5 mph in my aircraft, a bit of a disappointment if
> confirmed.
> (the lower end of my expectation).
> ....
Not too surprising. On my AA-5, the book penalty for no wheel farings
is 2 MPH, and that's about right. They're big, add a lot of wetted
area, and not laminar; gain is net. The factory speed kit for the
tri-gear I saw at Oshkosh looked more decorative than aerodynamic
(e.g., open at rear on the flap hinges - bad). I agree with Graham,
though, that on a slick airframe, the benefit potential is greater
than on a relatively dirty one like my AA-5. If real, tested
aerodynamic designs, rather than a cover which only appears to smooth
out the flow. Neither Europa nor I have a wind tunnel, but I still
made my own.
Regards,
Fred F.
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