[NSRCA-discussion] Wheel Pants Yes or No

[Gene Maurice]

Empirical results. A 10lb 14 oz Eclipse flown for a few months with the
wheel pants (3 oz.) on. I took them off for a contest to be flown off of
grass. NO NOTICABLE TRIM DIFFERENCE. 

 

Gene Maurice

 

  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Fred Huber
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 11:17 PM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Wheel Pants Yes or No

 

Wheel pants are an aerodynamic aid, reducing drag of the wheels a suprizing
amount.  They also look cool. ;)

 

The plane would be expected to need slightly different elevator trim if you
delete the wheel pants.  because the issue is a difference in coeficient of
drag of the wheel, the effect will be speed dependant.

 

In essence you expect to need more up trim as the plane goes faster due to
the landing gear not being retractable.  The wheel pants REDUCE the amount
of trim change due to speed, but do not eliminate it.  

 

Retracts with close fitting doors that completely cover the wheel wells
(like a full scale P-51) virtually eliminates the landing gear drag, thus
eliminating a source of speed related trim change.

 

OK... there's the theory...

 

Practicly speaking, wheel pants have weight (can be a factor in meeting
weight limit) and they can be a royal pain to keep on straight.  Some models
will trim out fine with or without the wheel pants.  Some the trim
difference will be significant.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Roy M Medina <mailto:roymedina at verizon.net>  

To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 5:01 PM

Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Wheel Pants Yes or No

 

I am flying my Evolis XXL in a outdoor carpet runway.  Field is showing age
with many holes that easily snag the wheel pants while taxing.  I am putting
70mm wheels now without any pants.  Just wondering what everyone else is
doing on wheel pants yes or no. Is there any advantage in performing the
routines with pants.  Given the various type of fields out there maybe some
fellow Bush pilots might have some Ideas.

 

Roy M


  _____  


_______________________________________________
NSRCA-discussion mailing list
NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion 


  _____  


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/787 - Release Date: 5/3/2007 2:11
PM

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20070505/863d1130/attachment.html