How-to make your ASW-15 more silent

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

Soaring is the silent sport

This tip is to be used at your own risk. Although the ASW-15 isn't very noisy. It can fly even more quiet.

First of all I want to thank Robin for attending me at this feature.
Okay, what do we need? About 40 by 10 cm of 'fake' fur (or just shoot a rabbit) and 40 cm of wide double sided carpet tape. I used tape instead of glue, so if the solution is not satisfactory you can remove it.

Cut the fur so it will fit at the upper and down side of the air outlet of your ventilation system in your cockpit. This air outlet is situated in front of the lock of the canopy (see picture). Put one side of the tape at the fur (the non-hairy side). Now test if the fur fits in the opening. If it does; remove the protective site of the tape and glue it in the opening. That's the trick.

I wish you many silent flights.

Note: the opening for the air flow will be a bit smaller because of the fur, so this tip is probably not applicable in hot locations.

DISCLAIMER: The author takes no responsibility for the text mentioned above. This tip should be used at your own risk only.

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[Peter Jackson]

Hi Johan,

Thanks for running this website - it's a great source of info for new owners.

Myself and a few friends became the proud owners of an ASW15b (in the UK) last month. 

There is a high pitched whine that comes from the front of the glider at >55 knots.  It sounds similar to the sound made by the vario, but continuous and varying slightly in pitch.  Would the fake fur fix that?

Regards

Peter

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

wind noises are hard to solve. The automobile industry for instance put a lot of energy in these problems.

The fake fur could mute the irritating sound, but I doubt it. There is in the nose cone a small round fibre glass plate with the rod of the air vent going through it. Make sure it's tightend (sometimes the holes of those small screws get worn out)

Please keep up updated!

BTW thanks for your kind words.

[pawnee2]

Johan
Our 15 has the front tow hook installed about half way between the nose and the landing gear. Its very handy for aero tow but once you are in free flight is noisy. Any suggestions on how to quiet it down?
Thanks
Eduardo