Close the rudder air scoop

I love my CH701 for its beauty in simplicity and nimble handling. But that won't stop me from improving it to lessen oilcanning, and drag. I thought of closing the 'air scoop' under the front of the rudder for better handling at low speed and high angle of attack with light material  when I came across the old .016" 6061T6 stabilizer spar that I replaced with .025" thick one when rebuilding the HS to bullet shape airfoil. Soon after, I had the light cover plate as shown in the photo.

Next, the dorsal fin? What's left of the old HS spar seems to have the material.

Anybody can think of an adverse effect from this addition?

Champ

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Permalink Reply by Joe Spencer on February 4, 2015 at 9:45am

Hi Champ

Mine has the "sculpted" shape right there...hard to do an aluminum plate. I filled it in with hardware store squirt foam and smoothed it off. then a thin coat of bondo and paint. Pretty easy. I never could tell and difference in the handling or speed but like you it looked like it needed fairing to me. No ill effects.

Joe

Permalink Reply by Brian Fitzpatrick on February 4, 2015 at 12:25pm

Hi Champ:

I think Joe is onto something by using foam from an aerosol type container for filling and sculpting.  I haven't thought of this until now.

There must be a light weight and fireproof spray type foam which would reduce or eliminate 'oil canning.'  I would think that a 1/16" thick or less cover would really help with noise in a general way as well. I'll keep this in mind as an insulation for the cabin area as well. 

Thanks Joe, good one.

Brian

Permalink Reply by Mark Maltais on February 4, 2015 at 10:27pm

I was toying with the foam and other ideas for several areas... The flaperon and wing tips for example.  Seems to me like these nooks and cranny opening will let the bugs in!  I can only imagine a giant wasps nest being built in the flaperon channel through those banana slots!!! :(

Permalink Reply by Chumphol Sirinavin on February 5, 2015 at 9:45am
Mark,

Show us some photos.

Champ

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