Test Flt. with VG's

[Yellow Duck]

Finally able to get out this morning. Nothing spectular.

Take off from my home strip; 9k head wind on my nose, overcast skies. lifted off maybe 50 ft sooner, climb was somewhat better. 1100 fpm at 1950 rpm (full power) and 60 mph.

Stalls Power off about 34-35 mph. Power on, can't tell reading 0 or there abouts. Recovery about the same; relax back pressure and you are out. Not much loss in alt.

Landings: Approach 45-50, feels about the same on the controls, but seems like a little more sink rate. Landed pretty short at about 35, maybe a little less, hard to say. I was alone and not fixed on the A/S ind. But when it quit flying it was over. Not bad.

Handeling didn't seem to change. Flies S & L hands off same as before. This was my first flight and only about 20-25 minutes. I'll push the envelope a little more as I become more accustomed.

I hope this helps anyone thinking about purchasing a set. The company is great. Every thing you need is there. No adverse problems, in istalling or flying.

Time to complete first set about 20 hrs. Second set would be a little faster.
My IA was impressed with the set up and the work and had no problem signing me off.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

You get 1100 feet per minute climb, and that's nothing spectacular??? What was it before the VG's? How much less was the stall speed on your particular airplane before/after?

[N96337]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Thanks YD,
I'll be interested to see what you think as you get more accustomed to them and also what they do in really hot weather.
John H.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Really hot weather here is different than hot weather where you are. Today it is in the mid 70's with about 80% humidity. And that was what it was when I went this morning.

[N96337]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Yah... I hear that... we may hit 80's or 90's, but we're usually about 25%... but wer're also at 4000'. At that rate, the density altitude kinda gets high quick!
Overall..would you say your money was well spent though?
John H.

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Lee
I got my set of vgs about 8 months ago but havent been able to put them on yet because ive been working on a new set of tail feathers and the vgs go on them to. They are finished. I plan to have the vgs on before spring.
Did you do stalls power on and off before and after and compair the two.
what was the dif.
A frind of mine has them he said that he got a 4 mph dif on power off and five power on. he also said that the big diferance was in slow flight it had alot more control just above the stall speed . He was also on floats.
I cant wate to put them on and try them out sice i paid for them almost a year ago......

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Lance, I have stalled before and after, read my first test flight. I didn't notice that much more or better control. I did notice a slight reduction in the stall speed with and without power. What I have noticed on my first and only flight was an increase in climb performance.

The weather has not been very good for the past week or so. And doesn't seem like it will be much better soon. But as soon as I am able, I will go up again and give it more test, plus as I fly I am sure I will be able to fine tune everything.

Good luck on your project. Also, how will the ice affect the wings and stablizers in the winter there with the VG's? Will you have difficulty removing the ice or will it cause more ice to form?

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Lee
Ice wont be a problem I keep tha full set of wing and elavator covers on while not flying.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

There, Dano T, your answer to the ice and VG's in Alaska.

[Dano"T"]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Lee,

I already ordered the wing and tail covers...there's a guy here who makes them...and when I'm at our place on the lake the plane is outside...and when it snows...what a pain! This will be the cure. I'll see haw Lance's performance is before I decide if I'm getting VG's or not. I just want to see how performance on floats is affected.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Flew another couple of hrs. bunch of T/G's. Starting to enjoy the VG's a little more.

It does shorten the take off a bit. Maybe 50-75 ft. Initial climb about 450 FPM. then quickly climb up to 800, then about 1000-1100 FPM. I like that.

On landing I have been coming in about 4-5 mph slower. Again when you come in at 45 mph, there is not much energy left for flare and stall. It is all done together. Also come in a little faster 50 mph , but do not stall, rather hold it off almost in the stall configuration and as the wheels touch, I move the yoke foward and do a wheel landing. This seems to make a little shorter landing at my home. But at my friends' with no obstructions, and 1000 ft. runway. I come in at 45 full stall and turn off before his halfway mark.

Stalls are as usual very benine and a little slower. Haven't tried spins yet. But I did do a 360 sprial from 800 ft. at the end of my runway at about 50 mph and no problem landing without power at my home.

Think I like it and worth the almost 500 bucks

[Dick Smith]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Lee, thanks for the report...when it's short and rough...4 or 5 mph is a lot.
Dick

[paulp]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Hey Lee,

I am really impressed with that rate of climb. I'm lucky to get 650 FPM with my 85 w/the o200 STC. Which prop are you using? If I could get 800-1000 FPM I'll have a set on the plane within a couple of weeks!!!

With that kind of performance I would say "Ya did good!"

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Test Flt. with VG's

Paul, I am now using a 74 x 40. Fresh overhaul and repitched to that. For me it has proven to be the best of both worlds. 100 mph solo @ 2150, not much faster at 2300, maybe 105.

I have tried several props (all metal with the Duck) From 45 inche pitch down to 40, haven tried the 39. I have heard some say that is what they use however. The 40 seems for me the best all around.