Micro VG's

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dj2790
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:06 pm

Micro VG's

Post by dj2790 »

Greetings and Happy Holidays to all !

I'm considering installing micro vgs on my 1952 Cessna 170B. I bought it with a Bush STOL kit and have flown it for over 50 hours since picking it up. I've read in numerous places that the micro vg's increase control surface response considerably. I like that even though I can fly at just about 40MPH (on the indicator) clean without stalling. That's good, but I like the idea of increased aileron and elevator effectiveness at those speeds. Does anybody have any real world experience with both mods installed? (STOL kit and micro vg's).

Thanks in advance.
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juredd1
Posts: 274
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:55 pm

Re: Micro VG's

Post by juredd1 »

dj2790,

I think I posted the link correctly to another discussion about this if your interested. Not sure I posted the link corrected in here so if not just search the hanger section for micro and you will see it.

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... ilit=micro
My playground....
35°58’52.01” N 93°06’27.51” W
'54 170B White and Green with a hint of Red
bagarre
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Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm

Re: Micro VG's

Post by bagarre »

Before Micro VG's, I'd look into Aileron gap seals. (Not Flap gap seals).

They have similar claims and you can still wash your wing without snagging your rag every two inches.
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ghostflyer
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:06 am

Re: Micro VG's

Post by ghostflyer »

I have done about 160 hrs in a 170B with the micro VG,s fitted but found myself still landing at the same speeds as before and started to wonder if they were really were needed in the first place. PLUS ,the aircraft lost about 5 mph in cruise. however cleaning the aircraft was a chore especially around the tail area. this area always picks up the mud and dirt. The thingy bits that stick out will catch your knuckles or wash cloths.
The best solution is gap seals every where . I have only done about 1.6 hours in a converted 172 into a tail wheeler but it has very impressive control and the cruise is slightly higher for same RPM.
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minton
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by minton »

Yep! Work great together.
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minton
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by minton »

ghostflyer wrote:I have done about 160 hrs in a 170B with the micro VG,s fitted but found myself still landing at the same speeds as before and started to wonder if they were really were needed in the first place. PLUS ,the aircraft lost about 5 mph in cruise. however cleaning the aircraft was a chore especially around the tail area. this area always picks up the mud and dirt. The thingy bits that stick out will catch your knuckles or wash cloths.
The best solution is gap seals every where . I have only done about 1.6 hours in a converted 172 into a tail wheeler but it has very impressive control and the cruise is slightly higher for same RPM.

Don't bother with the flap gap seals. They don't help for slow flight.
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W.J.Langholz
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by W.J.Langholz »

Do it and don't look back.......
ImageMay there always be and Angel flying with you.
Loyalty above all else except honor.
1942 Stearman 450
1946 Super Champ 7AC
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GAHorn
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by GAHorn »

W.J.Langholz wrote:Do it and don't look back.......
(tongue-in-cheek from the nut) YEAH..... in fact...don't look at it at ALL if you do it... It'll be too UGLY! :twisted:
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
bigrenna
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delete

Post by bigrenna »

delete
Last edited by bigrenna on Mon Jun 29, 2015 2:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
bagarre
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by bagarre »

I never understood why people want to fly a 170 slower. It lands slow enough now that you can put it in places that you'd need a truck to get out of!

Why not figure out a way to make it fly faster without painting it red?

If there was an STC, I'd be flying a clipped wing 170 :wink:
hilltop170
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Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Re: Micro VG's

Post by hilltop170 »

bagarre wrote:..........
Why not figure out a way to make it fly faster without painting it red?
............:wink:



Why not get a set of those micro jets the wing suit guy uses and strap them to the wing struts? When you feel the need for speed, light 'em up and hang on! You could even paint it green at that point.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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n2582d
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by n2582d »

Hmmm, you order it from Hangar #2 in Tehacapi. Me thinks Miles the Rocket Man is moonlighting!

If one was to use them like JATO bottles for takeoff but didn't want the drag during cruise, instead of mounting them on the struts, you could install two baggage doors opposite each other. Hinge each door on top (with a very heavy duty hinge). Mount the jets on the inside of the baggage doors. Hook up some hydraulics to open and close the doors and Voila!--C-170 JATO. I'm sure Del can get a field approval. :lol:
Gary
hilltop170
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Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Re: Micro VG's

Post by hilltop170 »

Well if the struts won't each take 50lb of thrust, clamp them to the landing gear. The wing suit guy uses 4 of them.

So for around $15,000 you can get two of them with the auxilliary other stuff. They would use 22-1/2gph so fill one tank with avgas, the other with kerosene and there you go! One hour of jet fun with an hour's reserve of avgas to get home.

100lb of extra thrust might be a lot of fun!

Would VGs still be needed?
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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cessna170bdriver
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Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm

Re: Micro VG's

Post by cessna170bdriver »

hilltop170 wrote:...100lb of extra thrust might be a lot of fun! ...
IF I did the math right, at 88mph climb speed, 100 lb of thrust translates into an extra 23+ excess hp, which in in turn translates into an extra 350 ft/min climb at 2200lb gross weight. 8)
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
hilltop170
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Re: Micro VG's

Post by hilltop170 »

Miles-
Are you selling those jet engines out of your hangar? Might be a good retirement hobby!
Last edited by hilltop170 on Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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