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Q:
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Will the airplane top speed be slower with vortex generators? |
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A:
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No. We have flown a Baron with Dick Rutan at Edwards Air Force Base and used radar tracking to measure speed at different altitudes. The only conditions where we found a speed reduction was a 1 knot reduction in top speed at 12,000 ft. at full power, and no change in top speed at 75% power. There were no speed reductions at any other altitude. The small amount of drag created by the vortex generators is offset by a cleaner flow of air from the trailing edge of the wing. |
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Q:
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What is included in the Micro VG Kit |
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A:
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All Materials necessary for installation are included in the Micro Vortex Generator Kit, with the exception of a ladder for installing VGs on the tail, a roll of paper towels and bottle of isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the wing surface. If the kit includes strakes, then an electric drill and pop-riveting tool is also needed. |
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Q:
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How long does the installation take? |
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A: |
Our rule of thumb is the installation takes one day for a mechanic who has never installed Micro VGs before. |
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Q:
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Who can perform the installation? |
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A: |
Any A&P mechanic with minimal tools can perform the installation. An I.A. is needed to return the aircraft to service with a 337 form after the installation of the STC. |
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Q:
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Is the vortex generator kit compatible with other STC's? |
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A: |
Yes. We cannot, of course, test every possible combination of STCs for compatibility with our STC. However, our STC allows the installer to determine compatibility with other STCs on a given aircraft. The installer can perform an Operational Flight Check per FAR 91.407(b) after installation of the Micro VG Kit to determine if there are any adverse characteristics created by the installation of VGs along with another STC. |
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Q: |
How are the Vortex Generators attached to the Airplane? |
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A: |
We use Loctite Depend™ Adhesive to attach the Micro Vortex Generators. This is the same adhesive used by Boeing Aircraft Company for many aerospace applications. Our experience has been that only bird strikes produce sufficient force to knock off Vortex Generators in normal operations. |
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Q: |
What if some Vortex Generators are knocked off? |
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A: |
We include a set of spare Micro Vortex Generators and Loctite Depend™ Adhesive to replace any that are lost. This spares kit is to be kept with the airplane at all times. Replacement Spares Kits can be purchased. Contact Micro to order. |
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Q: |
What about flying in icing Conditions? |
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A: |
Ice does not form far enough aft of the leading edge to affect the Vortex Generators. We have confirmed this through extensive flight testing in severe icing conditions, per FAA flight testing requirements. |
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Q: |
What are the disadvantages of Vortex Generators? |
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A: |
The only disadvantage is that the airplane wing is somewhat more difficult to wash. However, if sufficient care is taken this is only a minor difficulty, and is far outweighed by the safety and performance benefits. |
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Q: |
What do I do if the airspeed indicator dial face you've sent isn't compatible with the airspeed indicator on my Cessna twin? |
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A: |
Unfortunately, there are so many different airspeed indicators out there we can't stock dial faces for all possible configurations. We include a dial face only for the Self Compensating True Airspeed Indicator. If you have a standard airspeed indicator or a copilot's airspeed indicator, please remove the instrument from the aircraft and have an instrument shop mark your current dial face using the dial face drawing contained in the Option#2 envelope. The aircraft may still be flown if it is in Option #1 configuration. |
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Q: |
What do I do if one or more Micro VGs ends up right on top of a rivet? |
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A: |
You may move the Vortex Generator LATERALLY the shortest distance necessary to clear small obstacles, or you may file the foot of the vortex generator to fit over the obstacle. |
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Q: |
What do I do if one or more Micro VGs overlap the edge of the deicing boot? |
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A: |
The Vortex Generators should not overlap the deicing boot itself, but may overlap the adhesive material extending out from the deicing boot. If this occurs, the adhesive material may be carefully removed with an Xacto knife to provide a clean surface for the vortex generators.
DO NOT CUT INTO THE DEICING BOOT ITSELF!! |
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