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Old May 15th 07, 07:02 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Bob Kuykendall
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Posts: 1,345
Default Tubercles lower stalling airspeed?

Earlier, RichardFreytag wrote:

This article:http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/213475
claims that the tuburcles on the leading edge of whale fins actually
improve efficiency in fluid by lowering stall speed...


Lower the stall speed? Probably. I can see them having the same effect
as adding typical blade-type turbulators in that regard.

Improve efficiency? It depends on what your measure of efficiency is.
I strongly doubt that it could make any improvement in best L/D. My
guess would tend the other way. I'd reckon that sucker-punching your
boundary layer is a sure ticket for a trip through the weeds.

Thanks, Bob K.
http://www.hpaircraft.com/hp-24