Purely Luck - 1-11-2013 at 06:45 AM
Hey guys, as a flying nut I found this video and found it very interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXwVyxorvno
Apparently you can improve the STOL properties (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STOL) of a wing by installing vortex generators on the leading edge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator
Anyone think that this could have an application in kiting? I wonder if something like this could improve the upwind capability of some kites by
allowing them to fly closer to their stall angle at the edge of the wind window.
Purely Luck - 1-11-2013 at 06:47 AM
In the video they saw a reduction in stall speed from 60 to 45 knots of the aircraft. This is assuming that this experiment was valid and not a giant
scam or marketing gimmick.
Scudley - 1-11-2013 at 11:03 AM
Are the deformations of the leading edge at the struts acting as vortex generators in some kites? By mistake or design? These deformations would
have to be much smaller than aircraft VGs as the wing speed is so much lower (boundary layer thickness is a function of amongst other things fluid
velocity).
S
rectifier - 1-11-2013 at 12:53 PM
I would think the relatively floppy leading edge of a soft wing would serve the purpose of generating adequate turbulence for a kite. No matter how
smooth it looks, a kite's leading edge is much rougher and more chaotic in behaviour than an aluminum aircraft wing - that's my take on it
Bladerunner - 1-11-2013 at 03:48 PM
I think Flysurfers " Jet Flaps " partly address this ? Cleaning up the vortex above the trailing edge reducing stall. But I am no aeronautical
engineer !
Michael Gaylan - 2-11-2013 at 04:30 AM
I am wondering if a flux capacitor attached to the vortex generator on the leading edge will increase stall performance as well...
LOL