Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

[pftcraft]

Micro Vortex Generator Kit.. What say you..?

Supposed 5mph reduced stall speed..what about top end ?

[shawn coleman]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

I have a set of micro airs on my F19 and honestly I can't say enough good about them. They have reduced my stall speed by roughly 5 mph. I can't say they have increased my cruise speed , micro air claims a couple miles an hour and I can't say that for sure in my case. But they definitely did not slow it down.

But more importantly for me are the safety issues. My plane used to definitely have a stall followed by a definite break, with of course the typical moment of no control, now with my vortex generators. I can hold the stick full aft and dance on the rudder pedals and my plane will just sit there. Of course it is coming down at roughly 500 feet per minute. But that is with full aft stick and being really stupid, I can even do a 360 with full aft stick. Using nothing but rudder . Have never done a full power on stall because I am near fully vertical and my air speed shows around 20 and I didn't like the idea of sliding on my tail
as far as landing. You can be a little bit off on your flair and still touch down very smooth. Without the fear of dropping it in. I think that is what I like the best in comparison to not having them on. I definitely think it makes your taylorcraft, a lot safer bird
shawn coleman

[astjp2]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

I have a friend that tried them and only put them on one wing to see the difference and said that the wing without stalled before the one with and he had to use rudder to keep the airplane from flying crooked because the one with wanted to fly faster! I would not have tried it but he is more courageous than I am.....

[shawn coleman]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

sounds like a good way to shorten your lifespan??

[flyguy]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

Sounds like something the chief engineer would ask a test pilot to do in a F-104 prototype, LOL. Sorry, couldn't resist.

I hadn't though of installing them to make the break milder. That is something that would be nice, at least for landing.
Darryl

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

I used to live in Anacortes Wa. where Micro-Air (was) is located. I thought about buying a set but never did. That said, several guys around town had the little fences on their wings and I flew those planes. Slow speed handling was better on speed by a little but much better on authority and feeling. I flew a Cessna 182, Piper Pacer, and maybe a SuperCub with them... I flew none of the same planes before the installing the Micro-Airs so I can't tell you the "before and after." Every guy that had them swore by them and the float plane guys seemed very appreciative. You can ask the owner for references... as I remember he's good about giving you some people to talk too about the Micro-Airs. I hope this helps and good luck.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

[wlas]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

I've install them on piper PA-18,12,J3's,cessna 185,170, and a Scout and they all say the same thing, that the plane handles better in slow flight, I don't have them on my T-craft, but there was a guy in here the other day that did and said the same thing, he liked them. The only thing I don't like about them is, it harder to get wind covers on, and I am always gluing them back on for people when they come in for annual.

[tawadc95]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

Wonder If They Make Them For Ag Cats?

[n6346m]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

I installed the Micro VGs on my Stinson floatplane and I generally like the way they give the airplane a better feel at low speeds/high angle of attack and VERY nice handling when on wheels and skis, however like many floatplane pilots I have found them of little value when taking off and landing on floats.
VGs are designed to prevent airflow separation at low speeds and high angles of attack. Taking off in a floatplane is a relatively high speed/shallow angle of attack affair since aggresive backpressure will dig the aft ends of the floats into the water acting as a brake and slow you down. Unless you own a turbine Maule or similar rocket you just can't force a floatplane off the water. Landing a floatplane at a high angle of attack will result in a very unhappy and possibly wet arrival when the tails of the floats hit the water first with a resulting rapid nose down pitch. Just my personal observation.

Bob Picard

Every guy that had them swore by them and the float plane guys seemed very appreciative. You can ask the owner for references... as I remember he's good about giving you some people to talk too about the Micro-Airs. I hope this helps and good luck.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

To Bob Picard;
Not being a float plane pilot I can't tell you why those "wet footed boys" were happy with their vortex generators.

Maybe it wasn't about landing or taking off... but handling at slow speed in a confined area and in tricky back-country circumstances. Recalling hangar talk from 10 years ago is an imperfect science.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[n6346m]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

Ed,
I agree with you that there are benefits to having VGs other than just shorter takeoffs and landings and I am glad that I put them on my airplane. I am just stating that a good part of the benefit of having them is lost when operating on floats.
Bob

[KewFlyer]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

Are the Micro Air the only VGs in the market? Any others used/tested? Where would I find then if I get convinced to add them? I appears to me that the benefits assuming a reasonable cost, may be a good investment, specially from the safety stand point? Thanks fo the help. Ralph. It may be a good winter project, now that the struts are back on.

[tawadc95]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

I looked up micro air's website and they have sets for about every tcraft out there including the L series birds.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

If you all remember, Micro donated a set to Bruce Bixler for his BC12D and I approved the installation. I saw problems with cleaning the aircraft, winter covers and some loosening up. They did lower stall speed, improve aileron response at slow speed. ( Good or bad?) Bruce did not record anything prior to installation so we had no comparision. I think they slowed the cruise. I had to teach new techniques to the ones flying his ship. Then make sure they did not try to use these techniques with a ship that was not so equipped. May be they will send me a set for evaluation.
Darrell Romick the Chief engineer at Taylorcraft worked on a project like this up in Alaska, I will ask him for comments.

[KewFlyer]

Re: Anyone Install Vortex Generators ?

Are the Micro Air the only VGs in the market? Any others used/tested? Where would I find then if I get convinced to add them? I appears to me that the benefits assuming a reasonable cost, may be a good investment, specially from the safety stand point? Thanks fo the help. Ralph. It may be a good winter project, now that the struts are back on.

Also found out that "Landshorter.com" sells VGs for $100, Vs $ 600 from Micro Air. Are there any differences, other than the huge price difference? Are both STC'd? Any recomendations? Thanks. Ralph
The Micro Air are FAA STC while Landshorter uses the 337 route.
So, whats the difference?
Thanks
Ralph