Ok guys what are your thoughts on adding VG's to a Horton STOL. I have an A model 170 with the Horton already on it when I bought it. It is not eligible for the Sportsman. Do you think I would notice any reduction in stall speed and slow handling by adding VGs? Or is my money better spent else where?

I did put VGs on my Horton and it felt much better at slow speeds, also more elevator, stall speed? Im not too sure maybe no difference.

No stall speed reduction, but def slow speed control... Im super happy with my install.

Why do you say your 170 is not eligible for a Sportsman? Is it a ragwing?

Lessee, VGs for a 170A cost $1,450, plus a day to install. Some say that they add some slow speed stability, but few will say that they reduce stall speed by all that much. At $5.65/gallon, that buys 256 gallons of 100LL. At 8 gph, that's half a year of most people's flying. I'd go for the LL--I already spend huge sums on my airplane for things I don't need.

Cary

Cary wrote:...that buys 256 gallons of 100LL.... that's half a year of most people's flying.

Ive already burned that much LL in the past three weeks....

The 170 A model wing is not on the STC for the Sportsman only the B model. It's a different wing and airfoil.

bigrenna wrote:

Cary wrote:...that buys 256 gallons of 100LL.... that's half a year of most people's flying.

Ive already burned that much LL in the past three weeks....

I try not to think of how much i burn.

Cary wrote:Lessee, VGs for a 170A cost $1,450, plus a day to install. Some say that they add some slow speed stability, but few will say that they reduce stall speed by all that much. At $5.65/gallon, that buys 256 gallons of 100LL. At 8 gph, that's half a year of most people's flying. I'd go for the LL--I already spend huge sums on my airplane for things I don't need.

Cary

I hear you Cary. But when I'm sitting around bored out of my mind at work, I start to ask myself "hum, maybe I should do _____ to my airplane".

I would like to improve the slow speed handling. Currently it stalls at 38 knots. I use knots on my GPS as the airspeed indicator is unusable at that angle of attack. I'll fly approaches at 50 mph indicated airspeed and cross the fence at 45 mph, in calm winds. If the winds are gusty I speed it up a good bit. I feel a little on edge that slow and wonder if the VG's would improve on that.

Waterboy wrote:The 170 A model wing is not on the STC for the Sportsman only the B model. It's a different wing and airfoil.

Just an FYI. I've heard of a couple 170 A models that have had the Sportsman STOL kit installed via field approval. One was just in the last couple years up in Alaska. There's a recent thread on this on the 170 site. If you're curious I would call and talk to Willie Stene at Stene Aviation in Polson, or PM him on this site his handle is doth. As far as I know the A model wing is the same as the B model except for no dihedral and the smaller flaps. There shouldn't be any issue with putting a Sportsman on it... Except for the fact you would have to do a field approval. Vg's might be the cheaper and easier option for you if you're looking for some sort of improvement over your Horton cuff.

Thanks Rob I had seen that thread but forgotten about it. He said it took a year and a half to get the field approval. But it was approved.

VG's would be a quick easy installation, the big question, would I notice a difference.

Waterboy

I won't get into the arena about how much slower you may or may not be able to land.
The important thing I learned is that they definitely narrow down the speed spread between a stall warning and the actual stall.

Chris C