Gee Mike I'm surprised you only saw a 1 to 2 mph drop in stall speed. My B model stalls so slowly and at such a ridicules angle I know the airspeed indicator isn't working. It's usually indiating between 0 and 30ph.mvivion wrote:Well, I sort of agree with both sides of the VG question. I have VG's on my airplane, and I would never install them again. I approached this with the idea that they are cheaper than a Sportsman, which I also have extensive experience with.
The VGs did alter the stall characteristics of the airplane. They turned an already mellow stalling airplane into a slightly more mellow stalling airplane.
All the stall speed decrease hyped by everyone did not accrue from my installation, and yes, I've done multiple runs before and after, using GPS, etc. At best, there may have been a 1 to 2 mph decrease in stall speed. That's positive, but not worth the bother, in my book.
The Sportsman, on the other hand, does present a significantly lower stall speed, in my experience. It is more expensive, but I think the additional expense may be warranted by the better performance.
Wing covers: I use mesh wing covers, and I agree that the VG's aren't a total disaster when using wing covers. They are sort of a pain in the neck, though. Not bad ugly, but a significant increase in hassle. Understand that using wing covers itself is a hassle, so you're making the hassle worse, which isn't fun.
The worse problem I've seen is potential for pilot damage while fueling the plane. In icy, wet conditions, I've slipped a couple of times (okay, so I'm a klutz), and ripped a pretty nasty little gouge in my forearm with a VG. Frankly, it doesn't stretch my imagination to envision being out in the boonies somewhere, and precipitating a major bleed after a slip. That may seem unlikely, but.
A lot of folks also sit on the wing to fuel from cans (a practice I don't condone in any case). I wouldn't advise that with VG's, unless you are already contemplating hemorrhoid surgery.
As noted, I've got VG's, but I wouldn't do it again on a Cessna wing. On a Cub, yes, on a Scout, yes. On a Cessna, no. The minor benefits (and there are some) aren't worth the hassles, and there are clearly (to me) better STOL kits available for the Cessna wing.
Mike
Can’t say how much but that’s way more than 1 or 2 mph. And there is improved aileron authority all the way to stall and beyond.
Will I fly an approach at the ridicule sly slow stall I know have with Vgs. No, but I will easily do the book numbers and beyond with out a thought.
Mike, Did you see any improvement in aileron control?