Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 14:08:35 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-2579152@logan.com>
From: "Bob Jude" <bobjude@charter.net>
Subject: Turbulator tape
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I foolishly consented to let my Lancair 320 be used as a test bed for
turbulator tape.  We did a lot of flight testing.  The experimenter put
turbulator tape on top and bottom of wings, horizontal and vertical stab and
aft of all discontinuities on the fuselage including cockpit, windows, gear
doors etc..  I was not impressed with the result. Although the experimenter
claimed his data showed a couple of MPH increase in airspeed, my casual
observation of airspeed and power settings indicated no improvement.

I don't think that he had the tape at the optimum position on the wing (too
far forward) but I finally decided that we were beating a dead horse and put
a stop to the testing.  The removal of the tape can be difficult.  Heat from
a heat gun or hair dryer is required to avoid removing some paint with the
tape.  My paint job suffered a little when I removed the tape from the wing.

My conclusion:  Turbulator tape on LNC2's is not worth the trouble unless
you just enjoy experimenting.
Bob Jude
N65BJ

>sounds like Turbulator Tape and Vortex Generators do
the same job, can they be used interchangeable?, is one
more effective or preferable over the other?. Has anyone
in the Lancair Community had experience with either or
maybe both and can give us a comparison
Art