Winglets

[kloot piloot]

Winglets on the wingtips makes a lot of sence. Vortex control etc. From personal experience a wingtip winglet will bring your bar neutral position back with 1 - 3 inches,allowing you to adjust the hangpoint for a faster neutral position.

But what aerodynamic sense is there for winglets on wheel spats, i.e. GT and Tanarg ?

Is it rather a yaw damper as opposed to a winglet ?

Curious and love to know ...

[Arnulf]

"winglets" on the spats help in longitudinal stability with the faster trikes.
Regards,
Arnulf

[kloot piloot]

Arnulf, I would have thought a spat "winglet" would affect yaw (vertical) axis or maybe, maybe a bit on the lateral axis (pitch stability) when the drag of a spat might create a dolphin effect on the pendulum of the undercarriage.
But explain to me how it will improve Longitudinal (roll) stability ? Doesn't make sense ?
Eager to learn.

[John Young]

"winglets" on the spats help in longitudinal stability with the faster trikes.

Hi kloot piloot,

Arnulf is referring to "directional stability" for want of another term since the winglets on the spats have a toe-in setting (just like the front wheels on your car).

Regards
John ZU-sEXY

[Sad-Ham]

Why do the local manufauturers not use the winglets on the wingtips?

[kloot piloot]

Thank you John Young, I suspected as much but needed confirmation. Directional stability is around the vertical axis, re yaw stability.

Arnulf ... , longitudinal = roll.

Sad-Ham, beats me why local manufacturers have not gone into it. A wingtip winglet makes an enormous difference on bar pressure and results in a highly more comfortable cruise at increased speeds. A well designed pair of winglets weighs maybe 400 grams and only needs to be fitted with velcro due to little forces exerted. Needs A/C alteration approval though. Maybe our local manufacturers are concerned about the paperwork ??

[Arnulf]

Thank you John Young, I suspected as much but needed confirmation. Directional stability is around the vertical axis, re yaw stability.

Arnulf ... , longitudinal = roll.

Sad-Ham, beats me why local manufacturers have not gone into it. A wingtip winglet makes an enormous difference on bar pressure and results in a highly more comfortable cruise at increased speeds. A well designed pair of winglets weighs maybe 400 grams and only needs to be fitted with velcro due to little forces exerted. Needs A/C alteration approval though. Maybe our local manufacturers are concerned about the paperwork ??

Yes indeed, spot the obvious mistake, I meant directional stability. My apologies.
Just to clear any confsion:
Longitudinal stability: The longitudinal stability of an aircraft, refers to the aircraft's stability in the pitching plane - the plane which describes the position of the aircraft's nose in relation to its tail and the horizon

[Sad-Ham]

Sad-Ham, beats me why local manufacturers have not gone into it. A wingtip winglet makes an enormous difference on bar pressure and results in a highly more comfortable cruise at increased speeds. A well designed pair of winglets weighs maybe 400 grams and only needs to be fitted with velcro due to little forces exerted. Needs A/C alteration approval though. Maybe our local manufacturers are concerned about the paperwork ???

How about a reply from the local manufacturers on this subject