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

Ed Anderson wrote:

Interesting, Paul

    The only time I have noticed dutch roll in my RV-6A is during
turbulence.  Could be my C.G. being a bit forward might load the tail plane
and stabilize it a bit more than those RV-6s with a more rearward C.G.  But,
then have not flown in it for a 2000 miles trip.  Might tend to notice it
more on a longer trip.

    Just thinking of a pre-punched RV-6 ..err. RV-7 brings tears to my eyes.

  Just finished the mounting hardware for the two holey mufflers, now if it
will just quit raining for a bit. I'll try them on.

Ed Anderson

Turbulence is when it happens.

BTW if the top edge of the strake is near horizontal it won't help much.
It needs to be sloped up towards the top of the rudder somewhat.
Probably near 45 degrees. It would take a smoke tunnel to optimize.

Paul Lamar

Paul just notices the dutch roll because he is accustomed to
needing a 'cheater bar' to move his roll-control device.
(don't 182's have steering wheels?)

:-)

Charlie England
Lycosaur RV-4

All real airplanes have steering wheels :-).

Paul Lamar
 
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