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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