Streamlined Struts produce zippy performance!

Merry Christmas!!

One quick post on one of our development items, along with a new Belite video on YouTube --

I'll skip the analysis and just talk about the results --

After installing streamlined lift strut fairings on an airplane, I believe that we reduced drag at cruise speed by about 18 pounds.   This increases cruising speed, with our smallest engine, by about 5 mph.  That is very significant when we are talking about cruising speeds in the 50's with just a 28HP engine.

I borrowed Eric's plane for the installation and test of the new lift struts.  The proof is in pictures and video.  It's just a couple of minutes long, please watch this video!

Remember, I weighed 210+ pounds and the performance was just awesome.  The plane was also configured with our new improved flaperons.

We've also upgraded to a new HD camera for our inflight videos.  Just got it a couple of weks ago.  I learned a lot about how to mount cameras on aircraft when I was working at Mythbusters on the Duct Tape Plane myth., and you'll see much more airborne ultralight HD video in 2012.

James Wiebe, EAA 2011 August Raspet award winner