Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average installation time?

The average installation time for a Horton STOL Kit is 35-40 hours plus painting time. The average installation time for the Horton Flap and Aileron Gap Seals is 8.5 hours, plus painting

What kind of performance changes can I expect?

While we have brochures which were published with ideal test results and converted to standard conditions, we find there can be a test difference of over 10% in the same model, same year of aircraft, in various categories. The different efficiencies in engine and propeller performance, aircraft rigging, and pilot capability adds to the complexity of the comparisons.

On an average you can expect to get a 4-7 knot reduction in stall speeds. Flying at these lower stall speeds you can reduce the take-off and landing distances by 10%.

Can I purchase replacement wing tips now and later on purchase the rest of the kit?

Horton's replacement wingtips are not interchangeable with the Horton STOL conversion, if at a later date you decide to install the STOL kit. Replacement wingtips fit to the existing Cessna leading edge cuff. Wingtips used in the STOL kit extend out to fit the new modified leading edge.

What additional charges could I encounter when installing a STOL kit?

Some of the additional charges you may encounter when installing a STOL kit are:

- Labor and material required for painting. - If weight and balance on the aircraft is not current, you may want to weight the aircraft. - Models that require a wingtip exchange, may or may not have to have the navigation and or strobe light retainers changed to conform to the new fiberglass wingtip. - Retainers changed to conform to the new fiberglass wingtip.

Can I install a Horton STOL kit, but keep my original wing tips?"

Horton STOL conversion STC requires the use of a drooped wing tips, but they do not have to be Horton wingtips. Horton's does provides the fiberglass drooped wingtips with the modification that extends out to conform to the new leading edge cuff to eliminate any drop off between the leading edge cuff and wingtip.

WING FOIL MODIFICATION

Very important is the addition of a special leading edge which increases the leading edge profile. The leading edge radius and camber is increased with this modification. Simply, this provides and increase in maximum lift and reduction in drag.

For the owners of new Cessna aircraft with the Camber Lift Cuff, HORTON STOL-CRAFT has designed and engineered a new leading edge, for increased performance, to replace the Cessna Camber Lift Leading Edge.

CONICAL CAMBERED WING TIPS

Low speed aileron effectiveness is improved by special wing tips. Induced drag is further reduced since the HORTON STOL-CRAFT tips reduce wing tip vortex strength. They also increase the wing area and decrease the stall speed.

CONTROL SURFACE SEALS

Not readily visible in a complete conversion, but very important are the control surface seals, also known as gap seals.

The control surfaces of most conventional aircraft permit air flow from the underside of the wing where the high pressure area is present to the upper portion where the low pressure area is developed. The air "leaks" through the space between the ailerons and the fixed position of the wing. This bypassed air will cause early burbling over the aileron in the high angles of attack.

We install a strip of aluminum in this gap between the wing and aileron to prevent or greatly reduce this unwanted movement of air.

STALL FENCES

As you recall from your flight training days, modern general aviation aircraft are designed in such a manner that the stall starts at the inboard portion of the wing and then moves outwards as the angle of attack is increased.

The HORTON STOL-CRAFT stall fence controls the stall span wise progression and therefore maintains longer aileron effectiveness through higher angles of attack.

As a result, the low speed handling qualities of the aircraft are greatly enhanced, and then lower portions of the wing, depending on the aircraft manufacturer.