Hershey bar wing vs composite wing - how much drag?

On Mar 28, 6:51 am, Nathan Young wrote:
I have a Cherokee 180, with the short hershey bar wing. While I love
the plane, I always wish it could go a bit faster, or use a bit less
fuel to get to my destination.

I have followed the composite homebuilding movement for many years,
and am amazed at the sleekness of a composite wing. The wings on most
composites tend to be the complete opposite of a Hersey bar wing:
high aspect ratio, low thickness, no rivets, no screws for fuel
tanks,smooth curves faired into airframe, and streamlined landing gear
structure.

So my question: How much drag does a wing on a Hersey Bar Cherokee
generate, and and hypothetically speaking, how much faster could the
plane go if it was retooled with a sleek, composite wing?

A fast Cherokee is also known as a Mooney C model.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:

A fast Cherokee is also known as a Mooney C model.

Hm...I always thought "fast cherokee" was an oxymoron...

And yes, I own a cherokee 180. Would I like faster? Sure! Wouldn't
everyone?

On Mar 28, 12:30 pm, Blanche wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:



A fast Cherokee is also known as a Mooney C model.

Hm...I always thought "fast cherokee" was an oxymoron...

And yes, I own a cherokee 180. Would I like faster? Sure! Wouldn't
everyone?

I think part of my point is that the price of the 180 and the M20C are
pretty close. I'm not sure why people choose the 180 when its a good
30 knots slower on the same fuel burn.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:
On Mar 28, 12:30 pm, Blanche wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:



A fast Cherokee is also known as a Mooney C model.

Hm...I always thought "fast cherokee" was an oxymoron...

And yes, I own a cherokee 180. Would I like faster? Sure! Wouldn't
everyone?

I think part of my point is that the price of the 180 and the M20C are
pretty close. I'm not sure why people choose the 180 when its a good
30 knots slower on the same fuel burn.

-Robert

I agree with you but I'd bet insurance and the cost of up keep added because
of the retrac gear has a lot to do with it.

On 03/28/07 14:19, Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:
On Mar 28, 12:30 pm, Blanche wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:



A fast Cherokee is also known as a Mooney C model.

Hm...I always thought "fast cherokee" was an oxymoron...

And yes, I own a cherokee 180. Would I like faster? Sure! Wouldn't
everyone?

I think part of my point is that the price of the 180 and the M20C are
pretty close. I'm not sure why people choose the 180 when its a good
30 knots slower on the same fuel burn.

-Robert

I agree with you but I'd bet insurance and the cost of up keep added because
of the retrac gear has a lot to do with it.



Not to mention I could fit in a 180, but not a Mooney (although that is
changing...)

On Mar 28, 2:27 pm, Mark Hansen wrote:
On 03/28/07 14:19, Gig 601XL Builder wrote:





Robert M. Gary wrote:
On Mar 28, 12:30 pm, Blanche wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:

A fast Cherokee is also known as a Mooney C model.

Hm...I always thought "fast cherokee" was an oxymoron...

And yes, I own a cherokee 180. Would I like faster? Sure! Wouldn't
everyone?

I think part of my point is that the price of the 180 and the M20C are
pretty close. I'm not sure why people choose the 180 when its a good
30 knots slower on the same fuel burn.

-Robert

I agree with you but I'd bet insurance and the cost of up keep added because
of the retrac gear has a lot to do with it.

Not to mention I could fit in a 180, but not a Mooney (although that is
changing...)- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You do have to be a bit tall to fly a Mooney. I'm 6'4" and fit fine
but my partner is 5'10" and has a tough time reaching the rudders.

-Robert