TE probe up or down?

On Sep 27, 11:46*am, "Tim Mara" wrote:
Pete Russel (former SAGE Variometer maker) tested TE probes in all
directions..Pete reported it worked equally as well off to the left or right
as it did up or down....

Its completely dependent on the glider and the length of the probe...
In general, UP is much preferred.

See ya, Dave

On Sep 26, 12:13*pm, "kirk.stant" wrote:
It's raining at the field today so here is a serious soaring question
to ponder:

Should the end of the TE probe on the fin point up or down?

Informal surveys at recent contests seem to show a slight preference
for up (not counting those "swingers" that go both ways).

I've heard all sorts of reasons why each orientation is best - angle
of attack during pull-ups, airflow in front of the tail, G-effects on
the air column, blah blah blah...

I point mine up so I don't snag it when taking off the tail dolly!

Comments?

Kirk
Wet in IL

DOWN

To state the obvious: Male pilots prefer up.

When I had a TE probe installed on my Ka-6E I ask Roger Frank the posting subject question. He responded immediately "it should be UP!! Otherwise some jerk will hang their hat on it."

Wayne
HP-14 "6F"
http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F



"kirk.stant" wrote in message ...
It's raining at the field today so here is a serious soaring question
to ponder:

Should the end of the TE probe on the fin point up or down?

Informal surveys at recent contests seem to show a slight preference
for up (not counting those "swingers" that go both ways).

I've heard all sorts of reasons why each orientation is best - angle
of attack during pull-ups, airflow in front of the tail, G-effects on
the air column, blah blah blah...

I point mine up so I don't snag it when taking off the tail dolly!

Comments?

Kirk
Wet in IL

Opps, I ment to type "it should be DOWN!! Otherwise some jerk will hang their had on it."

"Wayne Paul" wrote in message ...
When I had a TE probe installed on my Ka-6E I ask Roger Frank the posting subject question. He responded immediately "it should be UP!! Otherwise some jerk will hang their hat on it."

Wayne
HP-14 "6F"
http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F



"kirk.stant" wrote in message ...
It's raining at the field today so here is a serious soaring question
to ponder:

Should the end of the TE probe on the fin point up or down?

Informal surveys at recent contests seem to show a slight preference
for up (not counting those "swingers" that go both ways).

I've heard all sorts of reasons why each orientation is best - angle
of attack during pull-ups, airflow in front of the tail, G-effects on
the air column, blah blah blah...

I point mine up so I don't snag it when taking off the tail dolly!

Comments?

Kirk
Wet in IL

On Sep 26, 3:13*pm, "kirk.stant" wrote:
It's raining at the field today so here is a serious soaring question
to ponder:

Should the end of the TE probe on the fin point up or down?

Informal surveys at recent contests seem to show a slight preference
for up (not counting those "swingers" that go both ways).

I've heard all sorts of reasons why each orientation is best - angle
of attack during pull-ups, airflow in front of the tail, G-effects on
the air column, blah blah blah...

I point mine up so I don't snag it when taking off the tail dolly!

Comments?

Kirk
Wet in IL

Up works better for me on Schleicher gliders. This raises the sensing
point about 6 inches which reduces errors form wing root vortexes
whien I pull really hard.
I leave probe in cockpit on claf pad until glider is on the grid with
dolly off to avoid damage.
FWIW
UH

On Sep 26, 12:13*pm, "kirk.stant" wrote:
It's raining at the field today so here is a serious soaring question
to ponder:

Should the end of the TE probe on the fin point up or down?

Informal surveys at recent contests seem to show a slight preference
for up (not counting those "swingers" that go both ways).

I've heard all sorts of reasons why each orientation is best - angle
of attack during pull-ups, airflow in front of the tail, G-effects on
the air column, blah blah blah...

I point mine up so I don't snag it when taking off the tail dolly!

Comments?

Kirk
Wet in IL

I point mine down. I tried it pointed up once, because all the cool
kids were doing it. I found that with it pointed up, the onset of
'needle flutter' happened sooner on my glider. Also, if I tie out for
a day, and it rains, there is a possiblilty of water getting into my
system with it pointed up.

On Sep 27, 1:44*pm, Grider Pirate wrote:
On Sep 26, 12:13*pm, "kirk.stant" wrote:


I point mine down. *I tried it pointed up once, because all the cool
kids were doing it. *I found that with it pointed up, the onset of
'needle flutter' happened sooner on my glider. *Also, if I tie out for
a day, and it rains, there is a possiblilty of water getting into my
system with it pointed up.


Put a bag over it and you can keep it pointed up....

On Sep 27, 12:49*pm, Whiskey Delta wrote:
On Sep 27, 1:44*pm, Grider Pirate wrote:

On Sep 26, 12:13*pm, "kirk.stant" wrote:

I point mine down. *I tried it pointed up once, because all the cool
kids were doing it. *I found that with it pointed up, the onset of
'needle flutter' happened sooner on my glider. *Also, if I tie out for
a day, and it rains, there is a possiblilty of water getting into my
system with it pointed up.

Put a bag over it and you can keep it pointed up....

After day two of the Memorial Day contest in Huntley this year, we had
the regular hangar BS session in the evening. Herb Killian was of the
opinion that it should point down. It did have something to do with a
pee bag snagging on the upturned TE probe :-)

Pete

According to the ESA website, which adressed this frequently ask
question, it should be pointed up according to professor Loek
Boermans unless you have the DN/x type probe. This probe should be
mounted horizontally, i.e. parallel to the wings. They also explain
the reasoning for this.

Barry