Get the Most Out of the Aircraft, Efficiency-wise

Abstract:    " I suggest to tape the top of the wing from the stall warning sensor back.Gap seals for the ailerons and flaps may help. "

Subject:Efficiency tweaks for the Taifun
From:"Finbar Sheehy" <finbarsheehy@
Date:10/21/06 3:51 PM
To: taifun17E@yahoogroups.com

I was able to get in touch with someone who appears likely to know more than most about the Taifun, and ask what steps to take to get the most out of the aircraft, efficiency-wise.

I'll pass along the tips - my source doesn't want to get a bunch of follow-up questions so I won't say who it was. Obviously, I can't actually vouch for any of this, so consider the following an
unconfirmed report from an unverified source!

Also, if your aircraft is normally certificated you should check the rules for your country before fitting gap seals (mentioned below).
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"It is important to prevent air from leaking out the top of the wing [at the gap where the wing attaches to the wing root], as it will trip the airflow over the top of the wing from laminar to turbulent and
possibly separate it altogether at the back 40% of the airfoil. If you cannot tape the gap all around, I suggest to tape the top of the wing from the stall warning sensor back."

"Gap seals for the ailerons and flaps may help. On gliders this is often done with mylar seals. It is fairly tricky to put these seals on and I am not sure if they are worth the effort on a motorglider. The
mylar seals will also make the ailerons stiffer and may affect the flutter characteristics."

"Other possibilities would be to apply turbulator tape at the bottom of the wing between 65% to 80% airfoil depth and also at the horizontal and vertical stabilizers just forward of the control surfaces."

"For more info on mylar seals and turbulator tape check: http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page28.htm"

"With the propeller and the big cowling out front, I am certain, the airflow has switched from laminar to turbulent before it reaches the canopy. Therefore I don't think it is worth the effort [to try to improve the sealing of the canopy]."