"vaughn" wrote in message ...

"bildan" wrote in message
...
Aerodynamisists have been trying to create "surface treatments" to
improve laminar flow for a century. So far, the mirror smooth
surfaces of sailplanes are best.

There is a guy, a Dr. Sinha, (http://sinhatech.com/) claiming to have
something called a "deturbulator" which is a sort of flexible tape
stuck on wing surfaces. If it works, and survives the rigors of
actual flight operations, it might be a big deal. I wouldn't hold my
breath.

Actually turbulator tape is fairly common stuff on sailplanes In comes in a
zig-zag pattern or with dimples. Scroll halfway down this page to see the
stuff: http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page29.htm
Google "sailplane turbulator tape" for more info.

Vaughn


It should be noted the exact placement location of "sailplane turbulator tape" varies dependent on the airfoil. The first turbulator tape I place of my HP-14 ruddervators was the "dimpled" variety. (It is less expensive then the zig-zag.) I couldn't see much improvement. That wasn't the case when I upgraded to zig-zag. I only have turbulator tape on the ruddervators. Adding turbulators to the wing airfoil has shown only marginal performance improvement, so I haven't bothered.

Wayne
http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F