I also just bought the jury strut fairings from Lowell Fitt and they are amazing.
Brett
I think these are the same fairings.
I was going to start a new thread but thought it would be more appropriate here.
I received a quote from Dennis at Aerolite 103 on his small strut fairings, dated 12/16/2022. Two pieces cut at 28" each was 44 dollars plus shipping. Very reasonable imho.
Web capture_16-12-2022_81926_www.uflyit.com.jpg
Being plastic, I'm sure they have some weight to them. If you're a bit nose heavy, this would be better than adding dead weight in your tail and maybe pick up some speed!
Streamline Fairings (uflyit.com)
Dragonplate makes a carbon fiber fairing, but they are expensive!
Streamlined Symmetrical Airfoil Carbon Fiber Tubing | DragonPlate
Does anyone have a better solution for 5/8 fairings?
"Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive." Ernie Pyle
Brett Butler
Flying: N46KF, 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul 110hp, G3x with 2 axis a/p, Beringer wheels & brakes, SS7 firewall forward, NR prop, Custom paint
I made some 3D printed fairings for the horizontal struts. The latest version has a round opening on the bottom, and the fairing just snaps onto the strut. I printed these in three sections due to height limitations on my 3D printer. Each section is connected to the next via a plastic insert.
The bottom of the fairing is not perfectly smooth due to the snap-on mechanism, but I'm pretending that drag is reduced compared to the raw strut.
20211227_101333.jpg
20211222_130441 (1).jpg
Doug
Super Sport
912ULS
Constant Speed IVOProp
I need to learn 3d printing but I'm on the downhill slide of understanding and $$ for the new 3d printer computer stuff.
Looks very nice dginok! How much $ to print your struts?
"Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive." Ernie Pyle
Brett Butler
Flying: N46KF, 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul 110hp, G3x with 2 axis a/p, Beringer wheels & brakes, SS7 firewall forward, NR prop, Custom paint
Thanks! Material probably cost about $8 max. I'm sure I've used up much more than that with the various versions I've tried over the years.
Doug
Super Sport
912ULS
Constant Speed IVOProp
After more time testing I have to back off on the 2mph improvement, and be more realistic with 1-1.5mph.
I am impressed with what you guys have done with 3D printing, but I don't see how you can beat these ready made fairings for cost, simplicity, weight, and being one piece with no joints.
Last edited by jiott; 12-18-2022 at 03:55 PM.
Jim Ott
Portland, OR
Kitfox SS7 flying
Rotax 912ULS
I agree Jim! The fairings you have look fantastic.
Doug
Super Sport
912ULS
Constant Speed IVOProp
Jim, remind me of your source for those fairings.
Eddie Forward
Flying
SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X
I got them from Quad City Aircraft. They are used on ultralights; I believe they are still available but not 100% sure. Someone recently said they couldn't find them on the QuadCity website and had to call them.
Jim Ott
Portland, OR
Kitfox SS7 flying
Rotax 912ULS