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> If you're still curious, you can check to see if VG's were ever
> produced for the early Cherokees, and if so, what benefit did they
attain.
VG's are available for Cherokees. Art Matson developed the installation
and
has a STC for them. The AMD VG's are designed as a set of four for each
wing. Placed on the inside section (About where coupe gas tanks are
located). Placement, location on the wing, and angle of placement are the
key to his design. I understand he had one set above his windsheld, but
could not prove a gain. (He did note that the placement is critical. I
think one placement made performace so bad that the plane was almost
lost).
The claims are impressive. However, I think a lot of the claims are
technique and sales pitches. A couple of items on the planes I know that
have them.
The stall is less, no questions there. It is also a smoother stall. So you
do gain something in this area.
The take off is claimed to be less. I think this is due to technique, not
just the VGs. His procedure is to
Run up to 50 mph.
Pull in two notches of flaps.
Count to two.
Pull back full and take off (This takes some guts).
I've done this with my Cherokee, without VG's, and the procedure is very
impressive. I can be a few hundred feed high in less than 800 feet of
runway. (Don't try this in your coupe - you don't got no flaps.)
Speed is claimed to be higher on the two planes I know of, that have these
installed. The actual speed increase was less that four knots. This does
not
sound impressive and can be "Dollar Induced" gains. (If you spend $500 on
eight pieces of metal you had better tell your wife it runs faster.)
I think that all you gain from a $500 mod on Cherokees or Coupes can be
gained, initially, with a good clean up of the plane. (Take care of the
pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves). The radio gear
hanging on the outside, lights, screws, holes in the window tops all slow
a
coupe down. The first step at increasing speed in a coupe is to clean it
up - and it cost a lot less.
I would also look at sealing the gaps in the wings. This can be done with
leading edge tape. This would give something (a little).
The next, cheapest item, is to look at the pilot. It amazes me how much
money is spent on reducing the weight of a airplane by 10 pounds when a
diet
for the pilot will have the same results and a lot less cost.
So far, my knowledge (limited as it is) of VG's:
Cherokee - Little Speed, Better Stall, Improved Take Off.
Super Cub - No Speed, Better Stall, Imporved Take Off.
Bonanza - Much Better Stall, Improved Take Off - (Well worth the
investment).
Pedenpole - Don't waste your time.
Coupe - Haven't seen any yet.
Jack
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