Hi Tony,
I have been thinking about how to implement Fred's Wing Fairing sometime
later. In interest of data-gathering (for me), it would need to be removable
to allow for testing flight characteristics of the aircraft in multiple
configurations, including the original fairing (also for backward
compatibility for the other wings available). That would be a good way to
see how it performs. Because of this, it seems that keeping it whole (no
cutting) might be the best course of action. It's nice to know that someone
else is considering the same. If you fly before me, you would have the best
information available about how the un-chopped fairing will affect flight
performance. :-) I am no aerodynamicist, but do agree with your
interpretation below. Any effects of the fairing hanging in the breeze with
the flaps deployed can be tested carefully at altitude. Otherwise, it has
been tested by a number of others in the flaps-up position and is intended
to be less draggy in that state.
I don't think (and this is pure conjecture) the exposed surface area is
large enough to do anything in the negative way, especially since its in
competition with a very large flap that is doing most of the wind directing.
BTW: I look forward to obtaining fairing attachment ideas (i.e. nutplates?)
---From you after you've had time to percolate the project.
Regards,
Greg
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Tony Renshaw
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 1:31 AM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: FK fairings...............input requested.
Thanks David,
We'll see how these FK fairings work out. I am not sure how the Spitfire
flap articulates, but I suspect it will be the same as these fairings i.e.
the flap retracts into the fairing such that it creates a small clamshell at
the root end of the flap when it is extended. The drag I mention is with
them deployed, and in combination with the lift created from the flap
outboard of this shadowed part, would mean that the flap would have a lesser
impact than a completely clean flap, but not by much. Any increase in drag
is better at the root of the wing, so if lift is killed here, it shouldn't
matter that much. Thats my view sofar, and I have made them removable so
that if I am not happy with the collective wisdom to strap them on for the
first flight, I won't. I can fly it clean to start with, which would be the
wisest and then extend the flaps and check out the flight characteristics at
altitude. Like I said, I don't expect anything untoward, but I don't
actually know so am keen for the input.
Also, I have extended my wing closeouts so I don't have any gap more than 3
mm between the side of the fuse and the wings, without fairings. So, if I
don't like the flight characteristics of these fairings I can remove them,
on the airfield, and go fly without any fairings aft of the spar on the top
of the wing. It looks good the way it is without fairings, and if it wasn't
for the fact that there is interference drag in that area, what I have
underneath the fairing is gross overkill for a good outcome. Don't ask me
why I did it, to cover it up with a fairing, but hey, you get carried away
---From time to time, or I do.
Regards
Tony Renshaw
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