Aileron tape

[Martin Hill]

Since I got my 15 last year it has had tape on the ailerons. Its now dirty and unslightly. I checked in the handbook and it only mentions taping the aileron gaps against rain when transporting on an open trailer and taping the wing gap for improved glide ratio.
Anyone out there flying without tape? Does it make a difference?

[Jon]

i dont know the answer, Hows your 15 to fly? first glider?

[damien dyer]

hello,
i use mylar on mine and it works fine!

[Martin Hill]

Its fantastic.
I started flying last year and decided to buy a glider instead of standing in line for a club machine. Wanted to buy a wooden ship as a cheap starter - K6 or SF27. Thought I might step up to something more expensive in a few years time. Couldn't find a decent one so spent a little more on a 15. It needed a little work. Did the cockpit out during the winter. Flown over 30 hours in it this year already. Completed Silver C and just done my first 100K.
I love this plane so much I have decided to keep it and probably get the wings professionaly refinished in a couple of years.
Handles great. Very responsive and light. Goes up and stays up in anything but can cover distance well.
Don't tell anyone or they will all want one
 :laugh:

[Jon]

Glad to hear it, im thinking of making the investment of buying a 15b

[Johan van Ravenzwaaij]

846 wrote:

hello,
i use mylar on mine and it works fine!

I have mylar also but with a sort of tape on the aileron it self for less resistance while moving the ailerons. It makes steering very light.

[Jon]

During the winer i think i may be looking to buy 1, how many hours solo did you have? before your purchase?

[Gil Kinzie]

I love my 15 and just restored it so on ail tape it got the best,  Eastern Sailplane  and wings and wheels  both have, for about 100.00us, a system that includes    a curved mylar piece that is held down in front with double sided sticky tape, then that joint is covered with a very thin white mylar tape.  Nothing flexes, It lasts a very long time,  and you see it often on very nice sailplanes.  Remove old tape and gum with mineral spirits.  I have it on the ail tops and rudder sides.
kamakinzie, 15133