Saw an article in the September "Custom Planes" magazine titled "Hopping Up a Cessna 172". One of the mods was "The Bush Conversion aileron gap seals". The mod is simply the application of a flexible tape to the underside of the aileron hinge line. They didn't notice any speed gain, but they did say: "The gains here were much crisper control response at cruise speed and far more positive aileron response at low speed, even down through the stall".
They said the instructions and tape are around $90, and they said the installation was easy. Seems like it might be a worthwhile mod.
Anyone have any experience with this mod? Any idea where I could get the kit?
Aileron Seals
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Stan
My have some background with this type of mod. First when I was flying model aircraft it was a common trick to seal the gaps of all the moving surfaces to gain more control.
Second the mod has been around for a few years for the Cherokee and although I didn't try it on mine because I already had aluminum gap seals I did illegally try it for a time on the flying stabulator the Cherokee has and it did work.
In addition there are a few gliders that have the tape installed. Also although it's not tape Bellanca Super Vikings and I'm sure others have fabric covering sealing the gaps, I'm sure for the same reason.
In short I have no doubt it does exactly what you've read. I have vortex generators on my 170, which do much the same thing in adding more aileron control. I'd be interested in hearing more about this kit specifically if it's approved and how for the 170. BTW it probably does increase speed but so insignificantly that it's not noticeable.
My have some background with this type of mod. First when I was flying model aircraft it was a common trick to seal the gaps of all the moving surfaces to gain more control.
Second the mod has been around for a few years for the Cherokee and although I didn't try it on mine because I already had aluminum gap seals I did illegally try it for a time on the flying stabulator the Cherokee has and it did work.
In addition there are a few gliders that have the tape installed. Also although it's not tape Bellanca Super Vikings and I'm sure others have fabric covering sealing the gaps, I'm sure for the same reason.
In short I have no doubt it does exactly what you've read. I have vortex generators on my 170, which do much the same thing in adding more aileron control. I'd be interested in hearing more about this kit specifically if it's approved and how for the 170. BTW it probably does increase speed but so insignificantly that it's not noticeable.
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Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
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