MICRO AERODYNAMICS INC.

Micro Vortex Generators

Improve your aircraft performance and control
by energizing the airflow over wing and tail surfaces.

MICRO VORTEX GENERATORS (VGs)

What are they and how do they work?

Micro Vortex Generators are small aluminum blades placed in a spanwise line aft of the leading edge of the wing and tail surfaces. They control airflow over the upper surface of the wing by creating vortices that energize the boundary layer. 

This results in improved performance and control authority at low airspeeds and high angles of attack.

Diamond DA42 3
WhatVGsDo Redesigned CR

Benefits of Micro VGs

Benefits on some Twin Engine models

What is included in a VG Kit?

A Micro VG Kit includes the STC, VGs, installation tools, computer cut templates, detailed illustrated drawings and instructions, and Loctite® AA 330™ adhesive for installing the vortex generators on your airplane.

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Manufactured under our FAA PMA

Micro Vortex Generators are manufactured under our FAA PMA from aircraft grade aluminum and are alodined to a mil-spec, ready to accept paint before installation

HAPPY CLIENTS SINCE 1989

OUR TESTIMONIALS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Micro VGs provide certified weight changes on a select few models.

Models that include Gross Weight Increase for take-off:

  • Cessna 310R / T310R
  • Cessna 335
  • Cessna 340
  • Cessna 340A
  • Cessna 402C
  • Cessna 414A
  • Cessna 421B
  • Cessna 421C

 

Models that include Zero Fuel Weight ( ZFW ) Increase:

  • Piper Seneca II
  • Cessna 310R/T310R
  • Cessna 414A
  • Cessna 402C

We use Loctite® AA 330™ adhesive to attach the Micro Vortex Generators. This is the same adhesive used by Boeing Aircraft Company for many aerospace applications. Our experience has been that only bird strikes produce sufficient force to knock off Vortex Generators in normal operations.

Loctite AA 330

Micro Vortex Generators are placed in a spanwise line two to fifteen percent aft of the leading edge of the wing. They control airflow over the upper surface of the wing and the tail surfaces by creating vortices that energize the boundary layer. This results in improved performance and control authority at low airspeeds up to the critical angle of attack.

A Micro Vortex Generator creates a tiny vortex in the airstream over an airfoil. This vortex energizes the normally stagnant boundary layer of air on the wing and tail surfaces. An energized boundary layer is more resistant to flow separation than a stagnant boundary layer. The result is that airflow “sticks” to the wing and control surfaces better, providing greater lift, which results in greater control in flight at slower airspeeds such as take-off and landing.

Installation using the provided illustrated installation manual can take as little as 6 hours and up to 14 hours depending on the number of surfaces on which the parts are installed, and how many total parts are in the kit for a specific aircraft model.

It will take your mechanic approximately 3 hours to install the templates on the aircraft and double check the measurements. The remainder of the time is gluing each Micro Vortex Generator in the cut-out of the template, and cleaning up any excess adhesive that may squeeze out under the base of the Micro VG when pressed in place. Some aircraft models also contain strakes which are installed with provided hardware.

Here is a video of an installation:

The proper use of Template Placement Tool

Template Placement Tool

Cessna 182 Wing with Micro VGs

Cessna 182 Wing with Micro VGs

Micro Vortex Generator(s) can be installed directly on the landing light lens with the provided Loctite® AA 330™ adhesive. If it falls on the landing light lens frame, the Vortex Generator(s) may be moved LATERALLY the shortest distance necessary to clear the obstacle. The foot of the vortex generator may be trimmed, or shimmed as required as long as the blade remains intact.

Yes. We cannot, of course, test every possible combination of STCs for compatibility with our STC. However, our STC allows the installer to determine compatibility with other STCs on a given aircraft. The installer can perform an Operational Flight Check per FAR 91.407(b) after installation of the Micro VG Kit to determine if there are any adverse characteristics created by the installation of VGs along with another STC.

Glue the portion of the Micro Vortex Generator that falls directly on the Inspection Plate to the cover, without moving the part fore/aft. The rest of the VG will not be glued to the aircraft.

Improve Aircraft Performance and Control Response