Some University guy has already done a lot of research into this, and from
his study of shark skin has produced a film of stick on 'riblets'.
I viewed the programme either on Discovery Wings or was it Beyond 2000??
they are testing the surface at present 'out in the field' on a 747 (maybe
cathay pacific, not 100% sure??) to measure mainly the decrease in fuel
consumption.
The film is quite expensive, but they are hoping the large savings in fuel
will more than compensate.
cheers
Paul Sweeting
-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: Wing Filling
Wasn't this the principle behind the 'shark skin' swimsuits used at last
years olympics?
I did a search on google and found a number of references such as:
http://www.netlondon.com/news/2000-12/1BE5315480B12AC1802.html
which includes the comment
The little teeth are channelling the water over the surface of the shark in
such a way as to damp down drag - drag being the enemy of anything moving
fast through water. This enables the shark to move much more quickly, with
less energy.
How do we get the 'shark skin' aircraft skin and would it work?
***************************************************************
Chris Cameron Europa #386
chris.cameron@ot.co.nz ZK-MYN
cell: +64 21 650 680
Life, don't talk to me about life ....(Marvin - HHGTTG)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa@post.aviators.net
> Subject: Re: Wing Filling
>
>
> A few years ago I was at the Copperstate Fly In in Arizona. I
> was standing
> under the wing of one of the large military aircraft and commented to the
> airman standing there that the surface of the wing felt like 'smooth
> sandpaper' (if you understand my description). He commented that a rough
> surface produced more speed. He said something about a blanket of bubbles
> of air producing an environment that resulted in less drag. He
> compared it
> to the hull of many speed boats, or off shore power boats. They purposely
> upset the flow to create bubbles of air between the water and the hull.
> The result is more speed. He said the same thing can occur on an airplane
> wing. It's boggled my mind ever since.
>
> Miles McCallum wrote:
>
> > > > I have also seen some absolute "dogs" with undulating wing surfaces
> > > > and paint jobs that resemble sand paper......and they seem to fly
> > > > just as well!
> > >
> > > How true. The effect of surface roughness was studied long ago, and
> > > up to a point (incl. fine sandpaper) it's insignificant. You can
> > > sprinkle talcum powder on a waxed wing, go flying, and wipe away
> > > residue on return.
> > >
> >
> > But.... will you be flying as fast? see the CAFE website for an
> > investigation of the effects of a wax job on a mooney.
> >
> > M
> >
>
>
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