Spats

[Trevor Bates]

Hi after building my Jodel in 2009 ,1050 I still have not fitted the spats,although they are ready to go.reason being ,i operate from a 450 mtr strip ,with an average surface,the extra weight,versis the gain in speed,I get at present 100-105 knots at 3200 rpm, are they worth fitting ? Thanks Trevor

[johnmichie]

it's always worth fitting spats for efficiency, the extra weight will never negate the reduction in drag. On an RV just changing from the old style spat to the new design added 5kts. The only disadvantage is if you minimise the ground clearance for best fairing and least drag, expect to get damage occasionally on rough runways.

Go for it, most aeroplanes look better with a nicely faired U/C, and you can either go faster or burn less fuel.

John

[tnowak]

Do a test pre and post spat fitting. On some aircraft (Short Wing Piper aircraft as an example) there isn't any noticable aerodynamic advantage when spats are fitted.
Okay, aircraft with spats look better but you have a weight penalty.
Tony Nowak

[Trevor Bates]

Hi I take on board what you say,and as i get 100-105 kts at 2320 i can compare ok,the spats weigh 7lbs total so the Jodel can cope,I think my major concern,is the ground clearance on a farmstrip,i have the leg fairings on, so this may reduce the drag a little.I might try a trial fitting mid season when the strip is in better condition.Many thanks Trevor

[Brian Hope]

Hi Trevor, I've had the large Jodel type spats on my D117 for some years, and also operate from a farm strip. They do suffer a bit of a damage now and again but nothing that isn't easily fixed. I think with the leg fairings they are good for about five knots, and has been said, they do tend to make most aircraft look better. Make sure you take getting the pump connector onto the innertube valve into consideration when fitting the spats, either have a hole with a blank grommet or cut away a bit at the bottom edge - it's a pain to have to remove a spat just to put a few pound into the tyre.

[Trevor Bates]

Hi Brian thanks for your input,I have the cut out in the spats for valve acess ,any ideas where to get the grommits from ? Trevor

[Brian Hope]

Hi Trevor, try auto electrical suppliers on the internet, they sometimes have large dia blank grommets. Some garages have boxes of different sized grommets too, worth a try if you get stuck.

[Trevor Bates]

sounds like a good plan Brian ,thanks Trevor