"Rolf" wrote in message
...
On Sep 27, 5:13 am, "kirk.stant" wrote:
It's raining at the field today so here is a serious soaring question
to ponder:

Should the end of the TE probe on the fin point up or down?

Informal surveys at recent contests seem to show a slight preference
for up (not counting those "swingers" that go both ways).

I've heard all sorts of reasons why each orientation is best - angle
of attack during pull-ups, airflow in front of the tail, G-effects on
the air column, blah blah blah...

I point mine up so I don't snag it when taking off the tail dolly!

Comments?

Kirk
Wet in IL

Well, your very own Oran W. Nicks describes the development of the
probe in your "Soaring" magazine of September 1976. He definitely has
the probe pointing up. As he is the inventor and arrived at the
configuration in extensive wind tunnel tests that settles it for me.

Rolf

And Professor Irving, who developed two different designs, shows his pointed
down, and 20 degrees forward. Professor Irving also used wind tunnel
testing. So there!


Hartley Falbaum
"KF" USA