Lift Strut Boots

[rdwater]

Are there lift strut boots for the under wing connection available for the BC-12D? If so, does anyone know where to find a set? Thanks, Bob

[Hank Jarrett]

There are, but they are different for every different size strut (and there are a BUNCH of different size struts). You need the measurement of the major and minor axis of each strut. Don't be surprised if they are different from right to left on your plane. If I happen to have the pattern for the size strut you have you are welcome to a copy of them. They are simple to make and difficult to get to fit perfect. It is pretty easy to cut the fabric with the edge of the metal while you are fitting them so I put a layer of cardboard over the fabric for fitting. Once you get them to fit they look great and go on and off really easy.
If I don't have the right size (and no body else does) you can enlarge or reduce the pattern to fit but it will take some time.
Make the first ones from poster board or you will waste a LOT of sheet aluminum.
Hank J

[AlvinMcIver]

Hank,
Could you explain the "major and minor axis" of the lift strut and how to measure them? Thanks.
Alan

[lktiller]

1st pic - installed cuffs

[lktiller]

cuff removed and upside down on poster board
Tracing outline

[lktiller]

Excuse the poor photo. but it does show the outline of the cuff
As Hank said, cut several out of posterboard before cutting the aluminum. Flat pattern, When the ears are wrapped around the strut the whole thing becomes dish shaped.

cut the opening to fit your strut. rivet rubber flashing around the edges.
hole in center is for screw to attach to strut mount.
wrap ears around strut and screw together.

[Hank Jarrett]

The major axis of a strut is the fore and aft dimension and the minor axis is the thickness top to bottom (if it isn't your struts are twisted and you have much bigger problems than strut cuffs). Just think of the strut as a flattened round tube and the major axis is always the bigger dimension.
Hank J

[taylorcraftbc65]

Strut cuff photo

Hey Iktiller, is that a saftey link for a glider that you have wrapped around the strut? Sabrina

[lktiller]

Nothing so sophisticated!

Piece of canvas with a ring attached.
Flip over the strut, attach tie-down ropes
Quick, easy, non-damaging, light-weight.

[whake]

Re: Lift Strut Boots

Excuse the poor photo. but it does show the outline of the cuff
As Hank said, cut several out of posterboard before cutting the aluminum. Flat pattern, When the ears are wrapped around the strut the whole thing becomes dish shaped.

cut the opening to fit your strut. rivet rubber flashing around the edges.
hole in center is for screw to attach to strut mount.
wrap ears around strut and screw together.

You mention a screw attached to the strut mount,,,did you drill and tap a hole in the mount...I made cuffs but I do not Know what to do with that center hole

[Len Petterson]

Re: Lift Strut Boots

Lift strutt cuffs on the top and the bottom of the struts, does it make a differncs in speed? I am not trying to Lopresty here, is there a gain to be had? I need help! A C150 passed me in level flight on the weekend! LoL
There is shark tooth patterned tape Uniware is selling what decreases drag.
A friend have it on the proproot on a Stinson gave him better colling but no speed gain.Has any one used it on the struts leding edge?
Len

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Lift Strut Boots

You mention a screw attached to the strut mount,,,did you drill and tap a hole in the mount...I made cuffs but I do not Know what to do with that center hole

Make a 'c' shaped clamp to attach to the lips of the attach bracket and drill a hole in the center. Piper used this method. I have also seen a drilled and tapped a #4 hole in the lip of the attach bracket.

Mike

[lktiller]

Re: Lift Strut Boots

Percentage of drag reduction relative to the whole aircraft is small. No measurable speed increase. Strut cuffs do dress up the ol' t-craft!
I guess I assumed all strut mounts on the wing already had a factory drilled hole for the center cuff screw?
Cut a cardboard template. Form it around the strut. Trim the outside of the template until its center fits flush on the strut mount, keeping in mind that the finished product will have the rubber trim attached. Then drill a hole for a PK screw.
A spacer could be used but that would make the cuff larger than necessary. Adds more drag.

Larry Tillery

[lktiller]

Re: Lift Strut Boots

I need help! A C150 passed me in level flight on the weekend! LoL
Len

Had to be a souped up C150! Or a 90 lb pilot!
Biggest speed increase comes from a straight fuselage and wings.
Reduce the angle of attack, check the washout in each wing.

I raced a motorcycle recently. I got ahead because I could cut corners!!!!!

[VictorBravo]

Re: Lift Strut Boots

As an old sailplane racer, I also bought a roll of the "zig-Zag" tape Len mentioned. We call it "turbulator tape" in soaring. It can drcrease drag, but in small amounts. There are MANY places on a T-craft where hits stuff would do NOTHING at all. I suspect there are a few places where it might do a little good... so I'll be playing with that when I get done with my annual and cooling baffles.