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Posted

Dear colleagues, can you tell me how much are the wheel pants for the RV in demand?

Which material is preferable - fiberglass, carbon fiber?

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  • Like 2
Posted

They look beautiful Meglin.  Pity I don't have an RV but plenty do.. More so in the SAAA. where the weight limit doesn't restrict like it does Here .   Regards Nev

  • Agree 1
Posted

Vans supply fibreglass wheelpants. They are optional kit items but nearly every RV has them. Pilots sometimes don't install them if they are flying off grass or rough surfaces but you won't find many RV's that don't have them.

  • Like 1
  • Agree 1
Posted
14 hours ago, meglin said:

Dear colleagues, can you tell me how much are the wheel pants for the RV in demand?

Which material is preferable - fiberglass, carbon fiber?

DSC02274.JPG

RV-7.JPG

13411711_290005614675593_7810074671429609885_o.jpg

carbon.jpg

10.jpg

13417023_290005494675605_1809037069512035375_o.jpg

20220809_181343(0).jpg

Look nice work.

Posted (edited)

How good this work can be objectively judged only after:

1) comparing the weight,

2) comparing the condition after five years of operation in harsh ultraviolet conditions.

Heated fiberglass epoxy provides significant advantages on both counts.

Edited by meglin
  • Like 1
Posted

Those are very impressive wheel spats. 

I built my own, which are not as neat, but it taught me to admire good workmanship when I see it!

In our slower aircraft, well-designed spats can reduce drag as much as a retractable undercariage.

My flight tests showed a reduction of up to 13% in fuel burn.

  • Informative 1
Posted

On the RV-12 which cruises at 110-115 knots they add about 4-5 kts to the top speed. On the faster RV’s that cruise at 150-170 kts I believe they account for about 9-10 kts.

  • 5 months later...
Posted

So there is a benefit after all. The fairings also protect the airplane structure from rocks and dirt flying off the wheels. And appearance, of course.

  • Like 1
  • Agree 2
  • 3 months later...
Posted
On 26/02/2023 at 8:27 PM, meglin said:

How good this work can be objectively judged only after:

1) comparing the weight,

2) comparing the condition after five years of operation in harsh ultraviolet conditions.

Heated fiberglass epoxy provides significant advantages on both counts.

Hi Meglin,

 

The wheel pants on my Sonex weigh almost 2 kg each. What do yours weigh? & could they be adapted for a Sonex?

 

 

Posted

I don't remember the exact weight right now. I'll have to look in the records. I think they would fit many airplanes with similar wheel sizes.

Posted

RV-7 main fairing - about 900 g.

RV-10 main fairing - 1830 g.

RV-10 nose fairing - 1450 g.

With nuts terminated.

I apologize for the use of the SI system.

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