control surface gap seal material

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Dave Krall CFII SEL SES
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control surface gap seal material

Post by Dave Krall CFII SEL SES »

I've been looking for posts flap/aileron on gap seals and think I recall "adhesive vinyl from sign making shops" but I can't find anything local, or anything on searches here. Any info on specific thickness of adhesive material to do a full span of all gaps?

Thanks in advance.
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Tralika
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by Tralika »

I'm not sure how large a gap you trying to seal but this works well on gliders. It comes in widths up to 78mm. Kinda spendy.
http://wingsandwheels.com/page28.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
John Nealon
Wasilla, Alaska
Highlander Extreme #191
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Dave Krall CFII SEL SES
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by Dave Krall CFII SEL SES »

Tralika wrote:I'm not sure how large a gap you trying to seal but this works well on gliders. It comes in widths up to 78mm. Kinda spendy.
http://wingsandwheels.com/page28.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks!
We want to do everything, so ~13 foot for flaps & ailerons X 2 = ~26 feet plus another 10 or 15 feet for empenage gaps.
Looks like good stuff but I'd like some cheap stuff that works even better!
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rmullins
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by rmullins »

I used this tape from 3M to cover my elevator gap.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... apseal.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Rick Mullins  #144
Cincinnati, Oh
Dave Krall CFII SEL SES
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by Dave Krall CFII SEL SES »

rmullins wrote:I used this tape from 3M to cover my elevator gap.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... apseal.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks Rick.

These simple tape type seals make a bump when there flexed into don't they? Wouldn't it be better to have something stiffer, that is unattached on the trailing edge so it can slide and keep a smoother surface?
rgmullins
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by rgmullins »

That's true. I closed that gap to increase the effectiveness of the elevator, not really for drag reduction. On my long list of things to do eventually is to really go over the plane and see what can be done to clean things up and gap seals should be one with little weight penalty. A couple other easy pickings would be to streamline the wheel legs and replace those round jury struts with streamline ones. Round is bad
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Rick Mullins #144
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Johnny C!
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by Johnny C! »

Here is my list of my intended clean ups.

1) I streamlined the trailing edge of the mains.
2) I will add wheel pants.
3) Fill in Flap to Fuse gap mounted on turtle deck.
4) Fair in Forward gear mounts on fuse to include landing lights.
5) Fair in exposed pulleys on bottom of wings.
6) Build airfoiled bungee covers.
7) Gap seal where practical.
8 ) Streamline nose gear strut ala RV's.
9) Possibly replace flying wire cables with forged flat wires, ala Pitts...

Most of this I intend to add as mini projects once Lima Charlie is in the air...

Feel free to add to this list. I'm open to all suggestions.

John
There are many things that happen really fast when you are
flying an airplane. There is no sense in rushing any of the others.

I would much rather be looking down at the runway, than up at it.

Duane Sorenson & Rick Norton Gone West 6/8/09. Godspeed
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danerazz
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by danerazz »

I am pretty sure I either read or heard one of the JA guys talking about rigid (though maybe not the streamlined ones) flying wires and they were having problems with them breaking. Maybe one of the factory guys can correct/confirm this?

As for the streamlined nose-gear, it would be even cleaner if you took it off...
Dane

Paralysis by analysis
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Johnny C!
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by Johnny C! »

I know.... being a nose gear pilot makes me sub human...

but you will think of me when you do your first ground loop...
There are many things that happen really fast when you are
flying an airplane. There is no sense in rushing any of the others.

I would much rather be looking down at the runway, than up at it.

Duane Sorenson & Rick Norton Gone West 6/8/09. Godspeed
Dave Krall CFII SEL SES
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by Dave Krall CFII SEL SES »

rgmullins wrote:That's true. I closed that gap to increase the effectiveness of the elevator, not really for drag reduction. On my long list of things to do eventually is to really go over the plane and see what can be done to clean things up and gap seals should be one with little weight penalty. <snip>

I figured might as well try to get less drag AND stop airflow as well, with one product if possible.
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danerazz
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by danerazz »

Johnny C! wrote:but you will think of me when you do your first ground loop...

Nahh, that was a LONG time ago!
Dane

Paralysis by analysis
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wayira
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by wayira »

Those looking for gap seal may want to look at this web site:

http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/bowlus.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
dschmid37
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by dschmid37 »

Found this on the website posted above....(http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/bowlus.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

"Important Safety Note: "Gap Seal Tape" is Not Designed for Use on Control Surfaces.
This stretchy plastic tape is perfect for use sealing fixed gaps - such as the gap between the wing and fuselage. I do not recommend using it on control surfaces such as the gap between the wing and aileron or the fin and rudder, or the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Plastic tape will shrink over time and especially when it gets hot in the sun. If it is connected to a control surface it may contract over time and not allow full travel of the control surface. Or as it gets tight it may pull off as it is stretched by the control surface - which could lead to high drag or reduced control of the aircraft as the tape flaps in the wind or changes the airflow over the control surface. Using plastic tape secured on both sides of a control surface gap is unsafe and may be an illegal modification to the aircraft."
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stede52
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by stede52 »

Looks like we're back to the 3M tape.

Steve
Steve D N419LD
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danerazz
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Re: control surface gap seal material

Post by danerazz »

HA! I just posted that caution on the "control throw" thread. I was wondering how my post made it to this thread.
Dane

Paralysis by analysis
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