Subject: RV-7
From: Paul
Date: 3/21/2001, 1:49 PM


BTW Van is missing a bet. A sharp rudder strake gives a vast improvement
in directional stability for little or no drag increase over the stock
vertical.
This is because a  powerful vortex  with a low pressure core is generated
on the
down wind side of the vertical greatly increasing its stabilizing lift.
I guess he does not want it to look like a Mustang :-)

Paul Lamar


  I've talked to several RV owners who have strakes on their airplanes. No
noticeable difference from what I've been told.

Mike Wills

How sharp was the strake's edge? 
Hard to measure dutch roll without instrumentation and then
you are not sure just how bad the turbulence is. Sure was uncomfortable
for me flying 2000 miles in an RV6. Been many more miles in the C182 and others and 
it is not near as bad. Course I have never been in a V tail Banana.

Paul Lamar
 
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