Wheel fairings

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
Been working on some lower gear fairings to wheel pant fairings. Picked up a pair last oshkosh across from sonex display at cleveland aircraft tools. They are fiberglass for an RV-12. Took some modifying , cutting and reglassing. Came out nice. Currently sanding & priming, maybe white final coat tommorrow. At osh 16 , on the flightline saw that Jeff schultz made some nice ones , handcrafted from modeling puddy then glassed, i believe he said. Hope to pick up a few mph. Anyone else craft some lower fairings? I looked thru the cleveland tools display for the different Vans RV models lower fiberglass fairings. The RV-12 seemed to be the best fit so i purchased a pair. It takes some moderate modifying. Will leave the upper gear fairing to cowl as is.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[wlarson861]

How about some pictures when you get done. Love to see them.

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi bill, all,
Sure give me a couple days!

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[wlarson861]

no hurry

[peter anson]

Steve Woodham, Sonex 892, has the best wheel pant/leg fairing setup I have seen. See http://sonexaus.wikispaces.com/Steve%27s+Sonex+892 and scroll down a short way. They are made from modified Vans parts. Maybe Steve would like to add some details.

Peter
Sonex 894

[Timwaiex0146]

My partner in Waiex 0146 , Rick Adler and I whipped up a set following Jeff Schultz's photos and instructions . Probably not as artistic as Jeff's, but Rick worked his fingers to the bone glassing and sanding and we're very happy with the results !

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
My fairings will be more functional and are split in the rear, you slip them on from the front , will screw to wheel pants(inside nutplates) , and have a fairing flange in the rear with 2 screws and clip nutplates. Steves recovery pressure wheel pants look beautiful, fairings maybe glassed onto the pants. ?Thanks peter. Tim how are your fairings attached? Any pics? When i finish final paint will take a pic.
Today is final day of sun and fun in florida. Any sonex folks there , safe travels flying or driving back home.
Anyone else try making wheel fairings ? please share.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[Timwaiex0146]

Michael, ours are attached with screws and nut plates to the cowl and wheel pants. Exactly like Jeff's

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi tim, all,
So you have fairings top and bottom, did u notice any speed diff . With them on or off? Sure looks nice im sure, wonder if if gives a couple more knots.
Oh , ur right, working fingers to the bone, glassing and SANDING. Ugh, i prefer aluminum.
WaiexN143NM
Michael

[Eisenflyer]

That is a good question, to me it looks like the gear fairings increase speed more than the wheel pants.
Using both, gear fairings and wheel pants gave me about 14 miles.
Sonexn16WE