Welcome Bob, I believe part of the answer is that any inconsistencies to the smoothness of the high pressure (underside) of the wing will be highly detrimental to its efficiency.
The solar panels you speak of are usually placed on an engine hatch or behind the pilot on the fuse, a low-pressure area that is considered to have little input into the overall lift of the aircraft. Regards Wayne Message: 2 Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:57:47 +1100 From: Bob Dircks <[email protected]> Subject: [Aus-soaring] Conspicuity Markings To: [email protected] Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi, I'm a newbie here........ but I have a question that has intrigued me for some time.... I have read the GFA/AN53 regarding conspicuity markings, and wonder why the large under surfaces of a glider are not recommended for bright marking. If heat is the issue with anything other than white, and presumeably direct sunlight is the main source of heat....how do the boffins reckon that the sun manages to heat the belly and under lower wing surfaces ? If reflected or convected heat from a tarmac or concrete ground surface is a problem, surely the fact that the patch under the glider will be in shade, would greatly reduce this ? I have noticed several gliders with solar electric panels applied as a flexible sticker, and on feeling them with the palm of my hand noticed a big temp increase where the panel was applied. Surely this would be a greater concern than having significant conspicuity marking on the wing undersurfaces. Or is there a "uniform" code like lawn bowls and cricket..... where brightly coloured clothing is just not on ? Bob Dircks _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
