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Lift distribution change for speed

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BJC

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Messages
18,227
Location
97FL, Florida, USA
My Glasair Aviation Sportsman 2+2 has a wing span of 35 feet and an AR of 9.1. With Lycoming IO-360, the quoted top speed is 145 knots.

A popular mod is to rig the ailerons slightly TE up relative to the chord line to shift the lift distribution and increase cruise and top speed.

Rigged per specifications, i.e., with the ailerons’ TE aligned with the chord line, my airplane has a GPS-verified top speed of 147 knots. Raising the ailerons’ TE by approximately 1/4” increased the top sped to 149 knots. Others have reported gains of up to 5 knots from raising the TE by 1/2”. As soon as I can get back to my annual condition inspection, I plan to raise the TE another 1/4” to see what additional speed gain is available. I’m hoping to be able to claim a top speed of at least 150 knots rather than 149.


BJC
 
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