Aero-TV: Aerodynamic Efficiency -- Better Performance Thr...

Efficient Is... As Efficient Does 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...