rhtrudder Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Thinking of taping up the gaps in front of the ailerons, is it worth doing and what tape would be best, I thought it might kill a bit of drag which I read somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 GAP sealing is known to provide advantages of less drag and more effective control function. You have more difficulty oiling the hinges. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djpacro Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/gapseal.php Effectiveness depends on the design of the ailerons you have and the size of the gap. Some designs are not intended to have the gap sealed. Edited February 7, 2022 by djpacro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhtrudder Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 1 hour ago, facthunter said: GAP sealing is known to provide advantages of less drag and more effective control function. You have more difficulty oiling the hinges. Nev Maybe just leave the hinge exposed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippydiesel Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 I made up my own seals using Mylar strips & HD double side tape. As above sugestion, left hinges exposed. Subjectively worked well. Take great car that you dont restrict control surface movement. Check out : https://wingsandwheels.com/gap-seal-tape.html https://www.cumulus-soaring.com/store/bowlus-tape-white-1in https://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/threads/aileron-gap-seal.20995/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenn Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Also take care that whatever you use maintains a smooth surface. RVs use a tape that slides against the wing surface for the flaps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 You can do that if the surface is concentric with the hinge pivot axis. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markdun Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I use Leukosilk tape 50mm wide which you can buy from a chemist. Its simple and it lasts about 10-15 years, is white and can be spray painted with acrylic or Stits Polytone which not only makes it conform to your livery but also protects it from UV. I use it to seal the wing root/wing fairing gaps on the Corby and the rudder and elevator gaps in the Cygnet. On some hinge joints you need quite a complicated tape arrangement and this would be the case for the Frieze ailerons on the Cygnet and all the Corby control hinges. The glider people are full bottle on those. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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