"Speed" tape?

[Jay Honeck]

At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.

Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
Pathfinder.

The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff? Is
there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things, like
the spoiler on my Mustang?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[G.R. Patterson III]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff?

I had a popped fabric tape on my Maule last year. I had clear packing tape over it
for a while until I could get it repaired. A very short while, as it turned out.
Whatever they're using, it *isn't* clear packing tape.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.

[ShawnD2112]

It gets even more arcane than that. During a rebuild or major work, they'll
also tape up every opening and lightening hole INSIDE the aircraft as well.
Air moving into the airplane will always find a way out, apparently, thereby
causing drag. Since you can't close up every gap on the outside, they block
up as many gaps inside thereby causing a dead end and no more drag.

Shawn
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:5Uz6d.131331$MQ5.70054@attbi_s52...
> At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
> non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.
>
> Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
> Pathfinder.
>
> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff?
Is
> there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things,
like
> the spoiler on my Mustang?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Vaughn]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:5Uz6d.131331$MQ5.70054@attbi_s52...
> At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
> non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.
>
> Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
> Pathfinder.
>
> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff? Is
> there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things, like
> the spoiler on my Mustang?

Since gap taping is commonly done on gliders, I guess it is not just one of
those "over 200 mph" things. I am not familar with the clear stuff though.

Vaughn

[john smith]

I believe you can access the IAC listserve archives from landings.com
A couple years ago this topic was discussed and discribed, including
manufacturer and model number of the tape used.

Jay Honeck wrote:
> At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
> non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.
>
> Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
> Pathfinder.
>
> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff? Is
> there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things, like
> the spoiler on my Mustang?

[Brian Sponcil]

Art Matteson of AMR&D uses tape for his gap seals. It's 3M Scotch #8672 one
inch wide polyurethane tape which you can buy for like $30 a roll. Of
course for those of us with certified planes it would be "illegal" to put
the stuff on without a 337 or STC. As far as I can tell it works about as
well as aluminum gap seals it's just cheaper and easier to install.

-Brian
N33431

"john smith" > wrote in message
...
>I believe you can access the IAC listserve archives from landings.com
> A couple years ago this topic was discussed and discribed, including
> manufacturer and model number of the tape used.
>
> Jay Honeck wrote:
>> At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
>> non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.
>>
>> Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
>> Pathfinder.
>>
>> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff?
>> Is
>> there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things,
>> like
>> the spoiler on my Mustang?
>

[Jay Honeck]

> Art Matteson of AMR&D uses tape for his gap seals. It's 3M Scotch #8672
one
> inch wide polyurethane tape which you can buy for like $30 a roll. Of
> course for those of us with certified planes it would be "illegal" to put
> the stuff on without a 337 or STC. As far as I can tell it works about as
> well as aluminum gap seals it's just cheaper and easier to install.

I know it's illegal to put tape on control surfaces without an STC -- but
what's the group-think on putting it on other aerodynamic problem areas?

For example, on a gap between two clamshell halves of a wheel pant? Does
putting speed tape on a non-structural member require an STC?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[kage]

The high performance sailplanes use "turbulator tape" right on the wings.
Could also be used on powered aircraft.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=turbulator+tape

Karl


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:DZ%6d.84254$wV.12775@attbi_s54...
>> Art Matteson of AMR&D uses tape for his gap seals. It's 3M Scotch #8672
> one
>> inch wide polyurethane tape which you can buy for like $30 a roll. Of
>> course for those of us with certified planes it would be "illegal" to put
>> the stuff on without a 337 or STC. As far as I can tell it works about
>> as
>> well as aluminum gap seals it's just cheaper and easier to install.
>
> I know it's illegal to put tape on control surfaces without an STC -- but
> what's the group-think on putting it on other aerodynamic problem areas?
>
> For example, on a gap between two clamshell halves of a wheel pant?
> Does
> putting speed tape on a non-structural member require an STC?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Mike Noel]

I used to fly gliders quite a bit and gap sealing cloth tape is commonly
used on the control surfaces. One day one of the club members landed in the
Grob 2 place and practically kissed the ground when he got out. Part of the
aileron gap sealing tape had started to peal up and it had such an adverse
effect on the handling that the guy thought he was going to die.

--
Regards,
Mike

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/amountainaero/fspic1.html
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:5Uz6d.131331$MQ5.70054@attbi_s52...
> At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
> non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.
>
> Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
> Pathfinder.
>
> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff?
Is
> there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things,
like
> the spoiler on my Mustang?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[G.R. Patterson III]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> For example, on a gap between two clamshell halves of a wheel pant? Does
> putting speed tape on a non-structural member require an STC?

The IA at Aircraft Mods & Repair told me that it does not require an STC. The part in
question was the vertical stabilizer.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.

[Maule Driver]

Sailplanes are taped and sealed all over. It has nothing to do with the
type of tape and everything to do with eliminating unintentional air
eakage - in or out.

It starts with the all the control surfaces. It's a given that no air
should leak through any hinge line. Practically all production racing
sailplanes have sealed control surfaces. Mylar strip, fabric, tape, metal
strips, etc. Some of it is quite elaborate. (Turbulator tape kind of
serves the opposite purpose -see blow hold turbulators)

Then every gap, seam, control rod exit, wing root, canopy edge and gear door
is sealed. The objective is to only have vent air entering thru a ram or
NACA vent and exhausting typically thru a hole near the bottom of the fin.
Though everyone is convinced of the value of sealing - few spend the time to
analyze the proper exhaust of vent air.

It's all pretty fanatical but it works from a racing perspective where a 1%
advantage is meaningful. Presume this ships all have experimental certs...

Thinking about all that and looking at my Maule gives me a headache!

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:5Uz6d.131331$MQ5.70054@attbi_s52...
> At Reno, all the Formula One and Sport class racers had every single
> non-aerodynamic gap covered with clear tape.
>
> Which got me to thinking, there are LOTS of non-aerodynamic gaps on my
> Pathfinder.
>
> The stuff looks like basic, clear packing tape. Anyone used this stuff?
Is
> there any benefit at all, or is it one of those "over 200 mph" things,
like
> the spoiler on my Mustang?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Roy Smith]

"Maule Driver" > wrote:
> Sailplanes are taped and sealed all over. It has nothing to do with the
> type of tape and everything to do with eliminating unintentional air
> eakage - in or out.
>
> It starts with the all the control surfaces. It's a given that no air
> should leak through any hinge line. Practically all production racing
> sailplanes have sealed control surfaces.

Same with sailboats. The only movable underwater control surface on
most boats is the rudder. If it's mounted to the trailing edge of a
skeg (like the rudder is mounted to the vertical fin on an airplane),
the hinge gaps are often sealed with some kind of flexible fairing.

Similar techniques are used above the water, with the way sails are
attached to the headstay.

> It's all pretty fanatical but it works from a racing perspective where a 1%
> advantage is meaningful.

Same with sailboats :-)

[Maule Driver]

"Roy Smith" > wrote in message
...
> "Maule Driver" > wrote:
> > Sailplanes are taped and sealed all over. It has nothing to do with the
> > type of tape and everything to do with eliminating unintentional air
> > eakage - in or out.
> >
> > It starts with the all the control surfaces. It's a given that no air
> > should leak through any hinge line. Practically all production racing
> > sailplanes have sealed control surfaces.
>
> Same with sailboats. The only movable underwater control surface on
> most boats is the rudder. If it's mounted to the trailing edge of a
> skeg (like the rudder is mounted to the vertical fin on an airplane),
> the hinge gaps are often sealed with some kind of flexible fairing.
>
> Similar techniques are used above the water, with the way sails are
> attached to the headstay.
>
> > It's all pretty fanatical but it works from a racing perspective where a
1%
> > advantage is meaningful.
>
> Same with sailboats :-)
No doubt. Turns out that the landmark book on sailplane racing, "Winning on
the Wind" was written by a guy who apparently took a lot of his approach
from sailing - George Moffat. Saving a few seconds here, a knot there, and
1% there, will win races when you put it all together. :-)