Customers: These VGs Are Cheap Way to Enhance Aircraft Performance and Safety

If Harrison Designs, LLC is right, the most affordable way to increase performance and safety is to add after-market vortex generators. According to Harrison, most customers see stall speed reductions of 4-12 mph and decreased takeoff and landing distances of 10- to 30-percent with no noticeable loss in cruise speed. Website testimonials indicate that when Landshorter! VGs are added customers are reporting significant improvements in low speed handling and response and feel their airplanes are much safer.

"As soon as I put VGs on my Rans S-7 I noticed a big improvement in low speed handling as I went around the pattern, the stick just felt much more solid," said company President Joa Harrison.

"My first landings with VGs were floaters, I was coming in too fast. Once I realized what was happening I was able to drop my approach speed down 15 mph and then consistently make shorter and bounce-free landings." Harrison continued, "What really amazed me was what they did for my stall speed, it dropped from about 35 mph down to a solid 27mph. With a little power and full flaps I can safely make turns in any direction at speeds in the low 30s. For a plane with a cruise speed of 115 mph it's really incredible to be able to go that slow and not feel like it's falling out on you."

Harrison's website explains that vortex generators are small fin-shaped pieces that are temporarily taped or permanently glued to the upper front portion of an aircraft wing just behind the leading edge, usually around the 10-percent chord point. They spin the air allowing it to stay better attached at higher angles of attack. By increasing the wing's angle of attack before the air separates the aircraft's stall speed is reduced and the pilot is able to takeoff quicker, climb to altitude faster, and land shorter. Vortex generators have been shown to enhance nearly all airfoils and Landshorter! vortex generators are specifically sized and shaped to provide the optimum mix of effectiveness and low drag.

Harrison Designs, LLC provides a complete manual with all the templates needed for most general aviation aircraft.

"I tried to keep things as simple as possible for folks so they would be comfortable with their purchase," said Harrison. "They're really easy to apply, it usually only takes me about an hour-and-half for a whole kit when I use tape."

His vortex generators are usually first applied with double-stick tape and then later permanently applied with one of Harrison's recommended glues. "When I tell people about my 100% satisfaction guarantee policy they usually ask how they would take the VGs off if they had to." Harrison explains that if tape is used then a little bit of kerosene or rubbing alcohol will remove the adhesive without damaging most paints or coverings.

He also notes, "Normally what happens is folks take them off to glue them permanently and then decide to go around the pattern once just to see what it was like before they put them on. It scares them pretty bad because they've gotten use to the great handling with the VGs and so they land and glue them on right away."

The design of Landshorter! vortex generators is very efficient. Harrison says, "they're molded from a very clear and attractive G.E. Lexan, the same stuff used in bulletproof glass. Because they're molded instead of made from heavier aluminum extrusions like the other guys use we're able to design in a curve to the VG base that better matches the curvature of the airfoil and provides for better adhesion and a more efficient product. They are also lightweight, a complete set of 100 VGs weighs less than an ounce."

"Out of several hundred sets I've sold now I've improved every plane that's used my VGs. Even though I tell folks I'll give them all their money back including shipping if they don't like them I haven't had a single set returned yet from anyone that's put them on their plane." According to the company literature VG Guy vortex generators are for experimental aircraft use only or for use with certified planes with FAA field approval.

FMI: www.landshorter.com