Gap seals anyone?

[Mac]

Do any of you have gap seals on your ailerons? If so do they enhance performance?

Thanks,

Scott

[Mikek]

[quote="Mac"]Do any of you have gap seals on your ailerons? If so do they enhance performance?

Thanks,

Scott


http://www.bellanca-championclub.com/fo ... =2560#2560

Might look at the above link, it's not my post so just the link.

Mike Kne

[joea]

Mike,

Anyone who is not a member cannot get into the forum. The link asks for a password.

If you can cut and paste the info that would be a big help for everyone.

JoeA

[Mikek]

Mike,

Anyone who is not a member cannot get into the forum. The link asks for a password.

If you can cut and paste the info that would be a big help for everyone.

JoeA

Principal



Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Posted: Jul 21, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject: Gap Seals

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Charlie Lasher suggests in his Champion books that gap seals be installed--he suggests using tape--to fill the gaps between ailerons and wings, elevator and horizontal stab and between fin and rudder to increase lift, speed and control authority. Has anyone had any experience doing this with any of the Citabria models?

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jerrymjr



Joined: 23 Mar 2005
Posts: 53

Posted: Jul 21, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject:

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On a Citabria:

Aileron Gap Covers were optional in the 70's. When we redid the Scout, some stick measurements and tuft testing showed that the Gap covers on the ailerons actually hampered their performance. The effect was minimal at best, but why add a part that does nothing? The nose of the aileron is supposed to duct some airflow up and over the top of the aileron when it dips down. Putting a gap seal in there, ruins that design intent.
(Now, the 7 series aileron is state of the art 1944, so, you see why it could use some help.)

Rudder authority on a Citabria is already nice and strong. I guess you can add a little more. Personally, I dont see a reason to.

Elevator does benefit from the gaps being sealed. However, at some point, Bellanca or Champion added them in. Basically, there is a small tube welded to the main spar of the elevator to cover the distance inbetween the Stab and Elevator. There are some gaps in this to allow the clevis bolts to be installed. Taping up one of these assemblies is likely to do very little. The gap that is there is quite small.

Honestly, if you want better handling, I would get the Vortex Generator STC from MicroAerodynamics.
_________________
Jerry Jr @ ACA

FYI: Personal Responce, not ACA responce.

Sorry about that , again is is for another forum

Mike Kne

[Guest]

my 7ccm had gap seals installed when they put the stol kit on so i dont really know if the seals make mutch of a change in handaling but the stol kit made a huge differance

[7GC]

I recently had the Crosswinds STOL kit installed, which includes aileron gap seals. Can't tell how much the seals work or whether it's the kit as a whole, but the improvement in aileron control at low airspeeds is amazing to me. Solid feel and effectiveness right down to the stall.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

What's included in the Crosswinds Kit?

nkh

[Guest]

The Crosswinds kit has the leading edge cuff, mid-span stall fences, tip fences, and fabric aileron gap seals, plus a few things like spacers. There's also flap extensions and flap seals for airplanes with flaps. Airplane must have balanced elevators - that was my last winter's project on the 7GC.

[ohanley]

Has anyone had any experience with body to tail feather, landing gear, or other fairing ?