Zig Zag turbulator tape

[Jim Lee]

 

This just in from Pure Flight:

TURBULATOR on the tail

Clean the place for the turbulator. Bring the aircraft into flight position. Measure the appropriate distance according to the picture and mark auxiliary points with colored tape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretch the colored tape from top to bottom so that it

starts almost at the top and ends just short of the

cover of the rudder control rods.

 Make sure that the tape is as straight as possible and

will help you stick the turbulator correctly.

 Stick the turbulator at a distance of approx. 50 mm

from the upper edge. Its length will come out exactly.

 Keep a safe distance from the tape so that it can be

removed after sticking the turbulator.

 We glue the turbulator by gradually tearing off the

adhesive covering layer by tip.

 Finally, just remove the colored tape.

   

 

 TURBULATOR on the wings

 

The turbulator on the wing sticks to the underside of the wing.

Clean the place for the turbulator.

 The principle of gluing the turbulator is the same as gluing the turbulator to the tail.

 The wing can be glued together with mounting on the plane, but you can't do it in one person. An easier way, both for the correct measurement and the actual gluing, is to turn the assembled wing and place it on some benches.

 For the correct distance, it is necessary to have the flap in the 0° position.

In the green lines, we will measure the distances according to the picture. We mark the distance with squares of colored tape. We will connect these points with colored tape (with 2 people you will achieve better directness and accuracy)

 For the possibility of replacing the wing extension with a winglet, the turbulator must be cut at the cut position.

Finally, just remove the colored tape.

 

[Eric Greenwell]

What do you gain with the zig-zag on the rudder and the wings?

• Is it just a better glide ratio, or are there safety and handling improvements?
• Has anyone done this? Any comments?
• what zig-should be used? The drawings show a fairly large pitch for it. And how thick should the ZZ be?

[Foley]

i presume it would be to reduce incidence of the high speed rudder flutter we've talked about before. To limit disruption of airflow.

[Rob]

 

[Rob]

Just now, Rob said:

 

 

[Rob]

Copied this from Pure-flight

[Jamey Jacobs]

The handling improvements are very enticing and worth the effort to install these turbulators. I know it was asked before, but zig zag turbulators on many sailplanes improves L/D glide performance by a measurable amount (5% is reported in some cases). Is there any experience with zig zag tape as described on the Phoenix glide performance?

[Jamey Jacobs]

I recently installed the turbulator tape on the vertical stab and wings. With only a couple of flights experience, I notice the increased responsiveness of the rudder (mostly on takeoff) and some improvement in roll response. I don’t understand how it could improve stall characteristics, but I think I noticed improved control in slow-flight and 1-3Kt reduction in stall speed (both short and long wings). 

I had installed the elevator gap tape long ago, and that was a significant improvement in thermalling speed pitch control.

On the other hand, these zig-zag tape changes are subtle, but nice changes - or maybe it’s a placebo effect.  Any other before and after experiences?

 

Good flying,

Jamey Jacobs

s/n 18