Fri, May 01, 2009
While perusing the goodies of the 2009 Sport Aviation Expo, one
could not help but wonder how the current crop of LSAs got to be so
impressive... and what might be done to make them even better.
Running into LoPresti's RJ Siegel is always an interesting event...
but even more so when he starts expounding on a number of the
topics he feels passionate about... and aerodynamic efficiency (a
much favored topic around the LoPresti ranch) is certainly one of
those he enjoys.
Mind you, he comes from a pretty intriguing background... having
served on the original Mac team at Apple Computer and been a major
proponent of the LoPresti Fury program. So... efficiency... that's
something that RJ, LoPresti’s VP of Operations, knows.
Indeed, the whole LoPresti operation is built around
efficiency... and speed... and performance... and all the good
things that come of them.
This time, though, the conversation is all about LSAs... which
have limits to work within -- ewspecially in regards to top speed.
LoPresti was called upon to consult on the Evektor SportStar
program and looked the airframe over to see what might be done to
make the Rotax 100HP powered vehicle get the most out of what was
proscribed by the ASTM/FAA definitions that bind the LSA
movement.
Surprisingly, they found a lot to work with... especially in
light of the fact that an average of 30% of conventional aircraft
drag is associated with cooling drag... and on these light
aircraft, that gave them a fair amount to work with. That, and an
overall evaluation and drag reduction program allowed the LoPresti
program to make the Evektor airframe more fuel efficient (and
despite the speed limit), make a number of great performance
inroads that translate into better climb, more range and better
slow speed characteristics.
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