Eagler's Nest
Airframes => Single Seaters => XL => Topic started by: Hugh Sistrunk on January 12, 2014, 10:07:24 AM
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Been discussing the need to seal up the gap between the two wings at the root mounting. I understand the top of the wing gap needs to be sealed. Any thoughts out there about leaving the bottom of the wing gap open - Is it necessary to close the bottom gap up?
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Mine being a cabin style, is not enclosed. I would imagine if it remains a parasol then it should be.
Bill
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mine isn't closed but all the others that i have seen are.
mine has a wide w/s at the top which i think blocks most airflow in there. if i was using the original narrow top w/s i definitely think it should be closed up. Leonard's is. i had the root of the wings covered and then one day stupidly cut that off for some forgotten reason. that obviously streamlined that gap some and blocked flow into the wings. i oughta recover that but don't look to have the wings off again for some time
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I did the first flight on #33 with the plans windscreen cover and no center cover on the wing gap... All was Ok until I brought the power back to idle on approach to landing at about 100' AGL... The air rushing up from the open fus bottom thru the cab felt like a down ride on an open frame freight elevator - unpleasant... Subsequent flights were with a cover that wrapped from the front spar forward over the wing back to the trailing edge and forward to an end at the rear spar on the bottom of the wing... An opening on the bottom of the wing between the spars has been Ok... My root rib ends are covered... I never bring the power back to idle now until I can see individual blades of grass - in-fact with the 54x20 prop the power is never below 2500 RPM until I'm rotated into 3 point and committed to land... Remember, I'm heavy and LE #33 has never flown below 510 LBS Gross - weight makes a huge difference...
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LE#64H is also got the center covered about like Steve's.. I have a clear plexi panel on top between the spars and can see my fuel level in my tank easily... I never have really flown without it.... I DID forget the plexi at Reklaw (left it at the hangar) this last time and covered it with some tape that blew-out partially, but I didn't notice...
Bob
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Maintain the top surface and lower leading edge seal.
As long as the inner wing ends are sealed, the loss of streamlining under the center section
will go unnoticed....
Rodger
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Ok, Thanks for all the input - will definitely help with the final setup.
Hugh