Flap Gap Seal

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alan
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Flap Gap Seal

Post by alan »

Greetings all,

While at Rain and Pain, formerly known as Sun and Fun, I noticed two of the three Highlanders present sported flap gap seals on the top of the wing. While talking to Steve Henry he told me these strips were the single best improvement of any modifications he has added to his Highlander, even better than the VGs. I neglected to find out the thickness and width of these seals. Can anybody supply these diminsions? I can probably accurately guess at the width, but I would hate to get the thickness wrong.

I also intend to make a new turtledeck like the one on Gary's Black Beauty. Nice!

Thanks for the info,

Alan
If I had known I would live this long I would have taken better care of myself.
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stede52
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by stede52 »

We are using .025 or 24 gauge aluminum, which is plenty strong. You want to make the over hang only about 5/8" so that when the flap goes down it will maintain a good air gap between the seal and flap which allows the air to re-attach itself top of the flap. See attached pics.

Steve D
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Steve D N419LD
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Gary H
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by Gary H »

just got mine done today,
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Johnny C!
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by Johnny C! »

This looks like another mod to
add to my list, after I get my bird
in the air.

Does it add any adverse effects?

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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stede52
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by stede52 »

John,
According to Steve Henry they work great. I can't imagine any adverse affects since the concept is used on most all supercub flaps, however, Steve H may need to comment on that since he is flying them.

Steve D
Steve D N419LD
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by SheepdogRD »

Gary H wrote:just got mine done today,
I see that, instead of attaching a straight piece to the top of the wing, you've attached a bent piece to the back side of the wing in the gap. Did you do it that way to maintain cleaner airflow over the wing, or because it's less visible, or . . . ?

Dick
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation

If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
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stede52
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by stede52 »

Dick,
I can speak for Gary on this because I made the strips for him. It was basically my idea to do it this way since I have access to a 10' brake thru my brothers business, either way will work. If I didn't have access to a large brake I would put a strip on top like the pictures show. I think Steve H attached his on top also.

Steve D
Steve D N419LD
taildrgfun
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by taildrgfun »

I have a 10 foot break too and I bent mine and put them on like Gary did. Mine extend back a little over 1 1/2 inches. They are still just taped on so maybe I'l try making them shorter and see if they work as well before I permanently attach them.
Steve Henry, Wild West Aircraft
(the Dead Stick Take-off Guy)
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by SheepdogRD »

I see that these seals leave some airflow through the gap. When these were developed, did they test reducing the gap to a minimum, or even completely closing the gap, forcing all the underside air to remain below the wing? My non-aeronautical-engineer brain tells me that -- to the airstream -- that would appear to be a "longer" airfoil.

By the way, Steve Henry's comment that his are just taped on put a grin on my face -- I didn't realize how light the forces back there would be.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation

If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
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Tralika
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by Tralika »

No reason to re-invent the wheel guys.

http://wingsandwheels.com/page28.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
John Nealon
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stede52
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by stede52 »

Tralika,
Sorry but thats not the gap seal to use on highlander flaps because you don't want to seal the gap when the flaps are down. It would also be very difficult to fit that style of gap seal to highlander ailerons due to the large gap and mechanical movement of the ailerons. I suppose it could work on the elevator and rudder, if you wanted to spend that kind of money, however, there are much cheaper and affective methods to do that on the tail surfaces :)

Steve D
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Johnny C!
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by Johnny C! »

For those of us regular types who
don't have access to a 10' break,
is there any reason why it couldn't
be done with 2 pc's per side?

To what angle did you guys bend them?

Also, is it just pick a reasonable
spacing pattern for the rivets?
Any special internal re-inforcements?
Or just drill & pull?

Thanks for the input!

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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stede52
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by stede52 »

John,
I"m not sure why you would need two per side or the angle if you don't have the brake. Just have one piece per side 1 5/8" wide with an overhang of 5/8". I'm not understanding what you are trying to do with two pieces per side, I'm easily confused. :? . The angle is 60 degrees. We're just spacing the rivets about 12" apart, should be plenty strong.

Steve D
Steve D N419LD
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Gary H
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by Gary H »

I put 1/8" inch SS rivets every 12 inches, plus the ends,, whatever. It took about a whole 10 min per side. The hard part was hooking that damm spring back up in the flap,,GRRRRRRRRRRR &*^&%$# :evil: :x
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Johnny C!
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Re: Flap Gap Seal

Post by Johnny C! »

stede52 wrote:John,
I"m not sure why you would need two per side or the angle if you don't have the brake. Just have one piece per side 1 5/8" wide with an overhang of 5/8". I'm not understanding what you are trying to do with two pieces per side, I'm easily confused. :? . The angle is 60 degrees. We're just spacing the rivets about 12" apart, should be plenty strong.

Steve D

Ok Steve. I am a little to blame, as well.

With the talk about the 10' break press,
I was assuming it was a 10' piece per
side, but it's obviously not that long.

I do have access to a break, but not a
10' one, and I wanted the bend angle
because I like the bent version better
than the flat one.

My bad!

Me go now...

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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