Last summer (2015) DW and I went to the United States Air Force Museum in Ohio.We spent three days going through and watching the IMax motion pictures. Really great for anybody with an interest in flying.The museum was undergoing renovations and the once secret/experimental aircraft were in a separate hangar a few miles down the road. So down the road we went.All the aircraft were jam packed and we were allowed to walk among all of them. Stuff we never seen or even heard of, and as long as you didn't touch them, walk right up close. Get ready!!We came upon the X-2 (over 4,000 mph?) and on the trailing edge of each wing were AIR TABS!! Yep, there they were.

Your story would make a little more sense if you told people what "Air Tabs" are...

Airtab wrote:NASA tested the basic shape that is used by Airtab®. They found them to be the lowest drag vortex generator they had seen. There are several technical papers written on vortex generators and other drag reducing devices, (NASA Recognition Paper) and the Airtab® shape was amongst those tested. This is not to imply that NASA endorses Airtabs™ - they never endorse commercial products. NASA is using them in the Langley Wind Tunnel to improve the aerodynamics on standards and walls.http://www.airtab.com/faqs.htm#Answer_16:_

Maybe that's what's needed. Since no one has been able to show that Air Tabs improve anything, maybe the next time I plan to drive my RV at 4,000 MPH I will install some Air Tabs!

I put it in the same box with front spoilers, slotted rotors and rear wings. They all make lot of sense at speeds above 130 mph.

There are a few that have some good results using them.

AIR TABS and my lying eyes, you gotta read this!

Gjac
Explorer III
Nov 06, 2015
To me the air tab looks like a Naca scoop or inlet which have been around longer than me. I have seen them on a lot of A/C. We even used them on Sikorsky helicopters. They are used primarily in inlets and reduce pumping loses on intakes at low speeds like 120 mph for a helicopter, but can really improve the air pressure by 50 pct for a fixed wing A/C. Several on here have posted modest improvements using these, maybe they will post their results.
William_B
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
Holstein13 wrote:
Not saying they work or don't work, but I can tell you that there are many things the airlines could do to save fuel but they don't do it. They could get more fuel efficient engines, install winglets on the end of the wings, put in lithium ion batteries to save weight. Why don't they do these things? Everything must be tested and approved by the FAA. It's a very expensive process. I can not imagine someone pasting air tabs on a commercial jet liner.

They do each and everyone of these. I spent my whole career in aviation and each airline is doing these things. Winglets are being installed on almost every aircraft including the older ones, engines are more and more efficient every year, procedures are implemented to save fuel at all airlines, all airlines taxi around with only one engine when possible as an example, lithium batteries are in the new aircraft see Boeing 787. Vortex generators on aircraft are not used to increase fuel efficiency, they improve airflow at critical speeds and angles of attack.
creeper
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
NRALIFR wrote:
There are no surviving X-2's. Only two built, and both were lost. One fell into Lake Ontario, the other crashed in the desert around Edwards AFB.

:):)

The museums regularly use replicas for planes that no longer exist. In fact all museums use replicas. Click for replica

You don't really think those cavemen in the Museum of Natural history are real?
prstlk
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
Time to drag out the right stuff movie, and watch it again. Love that movie!
NRALIFR
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
There are no surviving X-2's. Only two built, and both were lost. One fell into Lake Ontario, the other crashed in the desert around Edwards AFB.

:):)
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
Perhaps my motorhome could be a bit more aerodynamic.
holstein13
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
Dale.Traveling wrote:
Why are they not used on modern aircraft? Airlines are always looking for anything that would save them a few percent in fuel. One cross country circuit might pay for them. I think I'll stick to magnets on my fuel line to keep the hydrocarbon chains inline.
Not saying they work or don't work, but I can tell you that there are many things the airlines could do to save fuel but they don't do it. They could get more fuel efficient engines, install winglets on the end of the wings, put in lithium ion batteries to save weight. Why don't they do these things? Everything must be tested and approved by the FAA. It's a very expensive process. I can not imagine someone pasting air tabs on a commercial jet liner.
naturist
Nomad
Nov 06, 2015
Hey, @Dale, din't ya know them fuel line magnets only work with the hydrocarbon chain straighteners (sold separately)?
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2015
Why are they not used on modern aircraft? Airlines are always looking for anything that would save them a few percent in fuel. One cross country circuit might pay for them. I think I'll stick to magnets on my fuel line to keep the hydrocarbon chains inline.
holstein13
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
Oh boy, here we go again. I'll grab a seat and make some popcorn. Let the fireworks begin.

Forum Discussion

AIR TABS and my lying eyes, you gotta read this!

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

OK, Gotta Ask

Gotta love it.

Stolen - Please keep an eye out

Eyeing a F-450

Stolen - Please Help Keep An Eye Out