indigoonlatigo(at)msn.com
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 Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:39 am Post subject: Top Mount Antennas (ammended) |
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Jack,
Its like a light went off in your head.
I can't wait till I get to the piont in my project where it all comes
together. For now I have been concentrating on making the gaps between all
my control surface counterbalance arms as tight as possible making sure I
consider flex during flight which might inadvertently make those gaps
smaller and lead to binding. As one of my previous post stated the fairing
that came in my kit for the VS was way short of where I thought it should
be, about 3/16" open to 1/4". I added a carbon fiber extention.
I've also used a structural foam called SPYDER FOAM to make a foam core
sandwhich in these close out areas of these fairings. Although the plans
call for the removal of the foam and making these closeouts solid 3 ply
glass( 9 oz). I used one layer of 7.5 oz on the inside and 2 plys of 5.5 oz
carbon fiber cloth on the outside. Fiberglass core sandwhich is stronger and
lighter. 11 onces of carbon cloth equals the strength of about 33ounces of
regular glass.
The foam allows the builder to make complex shapes, concave surface to these
closeouts allowing the flanges to be more closed, but still allows the
corners of the counterbalance arms to clear the center of the closeout.
Here is a source for these products:
Aerospace Composite ProductsAerospace Composite Products has been a supplier
of composite materials since 1985. We offer a large variety of composite
materials specifically developed ...
www.acp-composites.com/
Why am I saying all this? Alfter all the posts about engines, HP loss and
weight and balance issues, here are the other things you can absolutely do
to make your plane fly faster, use less Hp, burn less fuel, use and
alternate engine! Gap seal all your control surface interfaces, top and
bottom with mylar gap seals or make your own out of Kevlar and resin. Teflon
friction tape where things come together.
Do you really only get 80HP out of a 260 HP engine while at 16K altitude?
why wouldn't everyone do what I am suggesting? But then why do somepeople
drive Hummers and Escalades while I drive a Prius?
To each their own, but please turn off your lights in your house when your
not using them!
JOhn G. 409
[quote]From: "Phillips, Jack" <Jack.Phillips(at)cardinal.com>
Reply-To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com
To: <rv10-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: RE: Top Mount Antennas
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:49:07 -0400
In the "For What it's Worth" departement, I just finished the condition
inspection of my RV-4. The previous owner had a Loran installed, which
didn't come with the airplane but its antenna (and associated cabling)
was still installed. I removed the antenna and cable during the
condition inspection and found that I picked up nearly 5 mph in cruise
speed. This antenna had a teardrop shaped base, with a whip that
extended swept back about 45 degrees to a height of about 12" above the
turtledeck of the airplane (behind the canopy), and then continued aft
about 18" parallel to the turtledeck. Total weight of the antenna and
cable was about 3 lbs.
Based on this experience, I will do everything possible to keep my
antennas buried, or will use blade type antennas if projecting out into
the slipstream. A blade has a much lower drag coefficient than a round
rod.
Jack Phillips
# 40610
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