Where to place zig zag tape on wing and stab?

[Tim Stagg]

All,

I am sure there is a post about this somewhere, but I would like to know the optimum place, "how far back from leading edge", to run the zig zag on my plane. I saw this Fitzgerald and Barry applying it at last stunt camp, but cant remember where it was placed.

Parallel to leading edge? or perpendicular to fuse?

Thanks

Tim

[Paul Walker]

The consensus is that placing them on the 1/4 chord is a good compromise. If your 1/4 chord is straight, then it would be perpendicular to the fuse center line. Most stunt planes have a swept aft 1/4 chord.  Mark a spot on the inboard portion and outboard tip indicating the 1/4 chord spot, and connect the two spots with the zz tape.

[Tim Stagg]

Thanks Paul

[John Carrodus]

Scoozey please. What is zig zag tape?

[Tim Stagg]

it is a clear packing take that you cut into about 3/8" strips with a pinking sheers or a pinking roller cutter and place them on the wing an stab to produce a similar affect to vortex generators. I am sure Brett or Paul can give you a scientific reason why they may or may not work. however, folks that use them say it helps lock your plane in.

I can not explain why, I just would like to try them to see if they make any difference in my airplane.

It is suggest that you use gorilla packing tape because it has a much thicker mill

[Dennis Nunes]

There is a short article about Trip Strips that I put together that is on the Flying Lines website that might be helpful. See http://flyinglines.org/nunes.tripstrips.html for further information.

Dennis

[john e. holliday]

Dennis, very well written article.  May try them when and if I decide to build another competition stunt plane.

[Larry Wong]

Or this is what I found.    https://wingsandwheels.com/tapes-seals/turbulator-dimple-tape.html

[Tim Stagg]

Dennis,

Thanks for the link to the article, great writeup!!
Cant wait to try them.

Tim

[Dennis Toth]

How do the ZZ strips work compared to just a straight 0.010" length of wire or fishing line positioned in the same location along the wing and stab? Does the size and angle of the ZZ cut make a difference?

Best,   DennisT

[john e. holliday]

How do the ZZ strips work compared to just a straight 0.010" length of wire or fishing line positioned in the same location along the wing and stab? Does the size and angle of the ZZ cut make a difference?

Best,   DennisT

Try it out and tell us your results.