Quote:
Originally Posted by blw2
....cut....
As a side note... I'm an aviation buff and private pilot.... and a mechanical engineer by schooling. Back in college I did a research paper on vortex generators used in general aviation. Specifically micro VG's ( https://microaero.com/). definitely an interest of mine.....
|
Interesting that in FAQ section, it states tabs do not affect top speed, other than a 1% reduction at full throttle at 12,000 ft.
In order for a motorhome to improve fuel economy from 7 to 8 MPG, everything else being equal, the aerodynamic drag would have to be lowered by something like 20% or more. If that were the case (for a motorhome that is), the top speed would definerely go up considerably.
Not suggesting to do a MH top speed test to confirm effect of tabs, but airplane data suggest to me that either MH fuel-economy data isn’t accurate, or that the technology isn’t comparable between airplanes and motorhomes in a significant manner.
A 20% or greater Cd reduction would be nice, but I would think that if it were that easy, every truck on the road would already have them.