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Thread: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

  1. #11
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    With more landings with the gap seals now I'm noticing another benefit with them.

    I've got a couple of thousand landings in Cubs and now 100's in my Carbon Cub and 99% of them, when on wheels, have been tail-low wheel-landings. I know what the 'sight picture' looks like over the cowl and what my speed picture over the ground is too. What these gap seals change is that at the same speed as pre-seal, my AOA is flatter. I like that. Or I can land at a slower speed with the same AOA as before. I dislike 3-pointing a Cub on wheels.

    I like the flatter angle and elevator response with the seals. I also like the slower touchdown speed with the higher AOA if I choose to really get in slow. Its like landing with an extra few mph headwind.

    Soon we'll see what it does for ski landings. I always 3-point ski landings unless I'm laying tracks first.

    Turbopilot - here's an image:

    DSCN2118.jpg
    Last edited by Dan L; 12-01-2011 at 03:43 PM. Reason: added image
    Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011

  2. #12
    Administrator Pete D's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Quote Originally Posted by turbopilot View Post
    Pete or Randy, could you post some close up pictures of the gap seals installed. From the one image it looks like black foam tape.
    I don't have a close up picture handy but the gap seals are not tape. They are a custom extruded product that is made to match the shape of the gap.

    Pete D

  3. #13
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Bob
    Much more than foam tape.
    They appear to be molded foam made to fit exactly in the gap.
    Vera sent me the installation instructions when I placed the order and from the photos they look substantial and easy to install.
    I will post how they work after mine arrive.
    Bill

    Edit
    Sorry
    Pete beat me to it---------------------

  4. #14
    Administrator Pete D's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Hey, great minds think alike :-)

    If I remember correctly the material is silicone based, or something similar so it is self lubricating. It adds no noticeable friction to the controls.

    Pete D

  5. #15
    Senior Member turbopilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Ok, I am in. Just ordered a set.
    Bob Anderson, CC11-00435, N94RA

  6. #16
    Senior Member turbopilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Continuing this thread, I see there are gap seals for the flaps on the CC but no seals for the ailerons. Why?

    IMG2029-L.jpg
    Bob Anderson, CC11-00435, N94RA

  7. #17
    Senior Member randylervold's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Quote Originally Posted by turbopilot View Post
    Continuing this thread, I see there are gap seals for the flaps on the CC but no seals for the ailerons. Why?
    We just haven't to that yet, some day. Ailerons will be more complicated than the emp seals, you'll see when you receive yours.
    Randy Lervold

  8. #18
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    Question Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Could we have some detail on the aileron seals please?
    What do they do? Increase speed by lowering drag, increase aileron effectiveness?
    Can I install them on my airplane? If so, how much are they?
    Bill
    Last edited by seastar; 12-05-2011 at 08:16 AM.

  9. #19
    Senior Member turbopilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    Quote Originally Posted by seastar View Post
    Could we have some detail on the aileron seals please?
    What do they do? Increase speed by lowering drag, increase aileron effectiveness?
    Can I install them on my airplane? If so, how much are they?
    Bill
    In other aircraft they increase low speed aileron response and increase cruise speed by lowering drag. Don't know about the CC until someone tries it.
    Bob Anderson, CC11-00435, N94RA

  10. #20
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elevator & Rudder gap seals

    I added a section of the seal to the short length outboard of the elevator hinges on both sides. It was tough to see much difference with 5 landings so far and after fueling up and being heavy too (44 gallon tanks).

    But it brings up the question as to why the instructions with the kit don't include inserting a section beyond the hinges? My Carbon Cub is an EX so I guess I'm experimenting here. But I can't see a reason not to go full length. The two extra lengths add over a foot of additional gap seal.
    Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011

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