REFLECTOR:aileron tape
Chuck Jensen
reflector@tvbf.org
Fri, 13 Feb 2004 08:39:06 -0500
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I tried a couple different methods then settled on duct tape. I chose the
white duct tape (Home Depot/Lowes) and prepared it by cutting off a strip
that was 2" longer than the aileron. I laid the duct tape strip on its
back, adhesive side up, then used common scotch tape to run a ribbon of
scotch tape along the edge of the duct tape; adhesive against adhesive.
You then have duct tape with 1/2 of the adhesive covered by a non-stick
surface. Apply to the underside gap starting 1" beyond the end of the
aileron. The adhesive edge will nicely cover your aileron hinge screws
while the portion of the tape that extends back onto the aileron is the
non-stick scotch taped edge. Hint: the prepared tape can be rolled back
onto the duct tape role to carry to the airport, otherwise, everything wants
to stick to everything.
This tape system is rated for 268.5 mph. After 4 months, it's still
flexible and shows no sign of needing replacement. Only two surprises, 1)
how much speed gain there was (5-7kts) and 2) how "hard" it seemed to make
the aileron. Unlike others that talk about the gap seal enhancing aileron
effectiveness, particularly at approach speeds, I found the opposite.
Aileron control was still available but it took a much firmer effort to move
the aileron and I didn't think they "bit" as effectively. I don't know what
to attribute it too. Nonetheless, the speed gain benefit outweighs the
perceived aileron shortcoming by a mile (well, actually about 8 miles..per
hour). Others have obviously experienced different results.
Chuck
[Chuck Jensen]
Airmech wrote....
What tape have you guys found works best to seal the aileron gaps? bg
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<DIV><SPAN class=671031913-13022004><FONT face=Arial size=2>I tried a couple
different methods then settled on duct tape. I chose the white duct tape
(Home Depot/Lowes) and prepared it by cutting off a strip that was 2" longer
than the aileron. I laid the duct tape strip on its back, adhesive
side up, then used common scotch tape to run a ribbon of scotch tape along
the edge of the duct tape; adhesive against adhesive. You then
have duct tape with 1/2 of the adhesive covered by a non-stick
surface. Apply to the underside gap starting 1" beyond the end of the
aileron. The adhesive edge will nicely cover your aileron hinge screws
while the portion of the tape that extends back onto the aileron is the
non-stick scotch taped edge. Hint: the prepared tape can be rolled back
onto the duct tape role to carry to the airport, otherwise, everything wants to
stick to everything.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=671031913-13022004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=671031913-13022004><FONT face=Arial size=2>This tape system is
rated for 268.5 mph. After 4 months, it's still flexible and shows no sign
of needing replacement. Only two surprises, 1) how much speed gain there
was (5-7kts) and 2) how "hard" it seemed to make the aileron. Unlike
others that talk about the gap seal enhancing aileron effectiveness,
particularly at approach speeds, I found the opposite. Aileron control was
still available but it took a much firmer effort to move the aileron and I
didn't think they "bit" as effectively. I don't know what to attribute it
too. Nonetheless, the speed gain benefit outweighs the
perceived aileron shortcoming by a mile (well, actually about 8 miles..per
hour). Others have obviously experienced different
results.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=671031913-13022004><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=671031913-13022004><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Chuck</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=671031913-13022004></SPAN><FONT face=Tahoma><BR><SPAN
class=671031913-13022004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>[Chuck
Jensen] </FONT></SPAN><BR><FONT size=2>Airmech<FONT face=Arial><SPAN
class=671031913-13022004> </SPAN><SPAN
class=671031913-13022004>wrote....</SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV></FONT>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What tape have you guys found works best to seal
the aileron gaps? bg</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
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