wheel pants

[9178A]

I just put wheel pants on and flew it yesterday and it seemed to help on the airspeed. Anyone out there know how much they help or if they help. I just flew from OKC (Thompson Field) to CHK and back same settings and alt. It maybe in my head but it seemed to add about 5mph. Just wondering if this is true or I'm just hoping.

[canav8]

It is true. the average is 5-7mph. enjoy the fuel savings to when you head to Longmont for the convention

[9178A]

thanks

[GAHorn]

RED wheel pants add yet another mph.

[bagarre]

My wife (English Second language) calls them "Wheel Skirts" because the airplane is a She.

[blueldr]

At one of the C-180/C-185 fly ins at Johnson Creek, a guy from Mississippi had a C-185 with wheel pants, brake covers and Gear leg fairings. That made an exceptionally nifty looking set up. I don't know what it all did for performance, but it sure did look good. I've never seen a C-170 with gear leg fairings, and can't figure how they are able to flex with the gear, assuming they're made of aluminum. On the other hand, maybe they were made of some sort of plastic for flexability.
It was my understanding that the owner o that C-185 was a wealthy RV dealer from Mississippi who was later killed in the crash of a sport plane race in Reno. He supposedly had a pumped up Continental 550 and used to get his jollies by chalenging Bonanzas and then waxing them. At least, that was the story they used to tell around the camp fires at J.Ck.

[KS170A]

At one of the C-180/C-185 fly ins at Johnson Creek, a guy from Mississippi had a C-185 with wheel pants, brake covers and Gear leg fairings. That made an exceptionally nifty looking set up. I don't know what it all did for performance, but it sure did look good. I've never seen a C-170 with gear leg fairings, and can't figure how they are able to flex with the gear, assuming they're made of aluminum. On the other hand, maybe they were made of some sort of plastic for flexability.
It was my understanding that the owner o that C-185 was a wealthy RV dealer from Mississippi who was later killed in the crash of a sport plane race in Reno. He supposedly had a pumped up Continental 550 and used to get his jollies by chalenging Bonanzas and then waxing them. At least, that was the story they used to tell around the camp fires at J.Ck.

Sounds similar to my neighbor who has an early 180. Has an IO-550, 3-blade prop, and every speed mod you can imagine including a tailwheel fairing (yes, tailwheel). One day I noticed he had even removed the steps and attached saddle stirrups to the aircraft. He said he figured removing the metal steps added at least 1/2 to 1 knot airspeed by pulling the stirrups into the cabin once on board!

[GAHorn]

At one of the C-180/C-185 fly ins at Johnson Creek, a guy from Mississippi had a C-185 with wheel pants, brake covers and Gear leg fairings. That made an exceptionally nifty looking set up. I don't know what it all did for performance, but it sure did look good. I've never seen a C-170 with gear leg fairings, and can't figure how they are able to flex with the gear, assuming they're made of aluminum. On the other hand, maybe they were made of some sort of plastic for flexability.
It was my understanding that the owner o that C-185 was a wealthy RV dealer from Mississippi who was later killed in the crash of a sport plane race in Reno. He supposedly had a pumped up Continental 550 and used to get his jollies by chalenging Bonanzas and then waxing them. At least, that was the story they used to tell around the camp fires at J.Ck.

I've resisted pointing out to my Beechcraft Debonaire owner/buddy that his 13 gal/hr, 144 kt airplane that requires $1500 annuals, Hartzell AD notes, and wing-spar carry-through inspections, and $1800 insurance (plus $350 retractable-gear premium for grass strip ops).... carries less than half the payload my 144 kt/13 gph Cessna 206 did, which req'd $750 annuals and $1100 insurance.