These vortex kits can increase speeds by up to 7.5 MPH. This is accomplished by placing vortelators at certain critical locations which cause the boundary layer to stay attached to flying surfaces for a greater distance, and to keep the boundary layer thinner. The net result of these two actions is that it reduces both the profile drag and skin friction drag components of parasite drag. Another way to think of it is that the wake behind the aircraft will be smaller thus requiring less horsepower to propel the aircraft through the air.

The figure shows the flow of black motor oil on a lift strut with, a short strip of vortelator attached, during a flight test. Notice that behind the vortelator mini vortices are created as can be seen by the lines of oil that form behind the vortelator. These mini vortices sweep the oil to a point in between the mini vortices, and thats how the oil lines are formed. Whenever one sees these characteristic oil lines forming behind the vortelator one knows the vortelator is working. The vortelator allows the air flow to stay attached to the lift strut for approximately 80% of the lift struts chord. In the area where there is no vortelator the air flow separates from the lift strut at approximately 40% of the lift struts chord, as can be seen from the pile up of oil at the 40% chord position.

Here the lift strut is 2.01" thick, and at the 80% chord position the lift strut is 1.18" thick. That means the wake coming off the lift strut is only 59% as thick with the vortelator attached as without the vortelator attached. That also means with a narrower wake less horsepower is required to propel the lift strut through the air.

Kit 246-100 is FAA approved for the following Cessna aircraft: 140A, all models of 150, all models of A150, all models of 152, all models of A152, 170A&B, all models of 172 (USAF T-41A), P172D, R172E (USAF T-41B), and (USAF T-41C & D), R172F (USAF T-41D), R172G (USA T-41C & D), R172H (USAF T-41D), R172J, R172K (known as 172XP, 172RG, all models of 75, all models of 180, all models of 182, R182, T182, TR182, all models of 185, A185E, A185F, all models of 205, all models of 206, all models of P206, all models of U206, all models of TP206, all models of TU206, all models of 305 known as L-19.