View Single Post
  #5  
Old February 8th 18, 07:01 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,383
Default Shark-inspired turbulators increase L/D X 3

Cool concept, maybe not the "mass production" to go beyond small scale testing to 15M+ wing spans.
I believe currently, modern sailplane airfoils are laminar to about 90+%, the gains listed would gain very little likely diminished by the care to keep them working.
Yes, I remember the talk about doing similar in swimmer suits, lots of variables and cost.
Did it gain anything? I don't know.
Sometimes "thinking" you have an advantage MAKES an advantage.

Is it worth watching?
Yes.
Do I think it's a game changer for newer sailplane airfoils?
Nope.

Then again, I usually give up 10%+ just due to the "nut behind the stick", so this technology is not enough to give me a woody.