Stolspeed VGs installed on Jodel D11

At last I fitted the VGs to my Jodel D11. I wish I had done it earlier. I have always had trouble landing the Jodel nicely. It tended to drop onto the runway at indicated 40+ knots. It did not want to "float" at all. The speed would bleed off and, at 40 something, it would just stop flying even with the stick back as far as I could get it. As a result, I always "wheeled" it on at 50+ (knots). And I must say I was quite good at it.

After fitting the VGs, the first takeoff I climbed out at normal 650 ft per minute. BUT I had 70+ knots on the clock!!! At an indicated 60 (normal climb speed), I had 800+ ft per minute. I had performed stall checks as you suggested. The Jodel does not stall in the traditional sense. As the nose comes up, it would just start to shake a little from side to side, wag its head, sort of, and just lose height at that angle of attack. The steeper the angle, the faster you lose height. There is no nose drop.

Now it's different. I tried low power stalls, 1000 rpm (as before). The airplane reached a ridiculous angle of attack. Felt like 30 degrees plus. A quick glance at the ASI showed 22! knots or so, losing around 300 to 400 ft per minute. Appeared to be hanging on the prop. Absolutely steady as a rock. Still no proper stall.

The landing was interesting. I came over the fence at a similar speed as usual, maybe a little slower. I held off and off and off, just getting slower and slower. I used up almost 1000 meters of runway. I was making plans to go around when touchdown! On the mains still, but at 30 or so. I have to do more testing and see what has happened to speeds and consumption. Brilliant result so far.

Later. Now I'm doing really slow and gentle three pointers, and really enjoying it!

P.S. I did try VGs under the horizontal stab but found that they changed the trim and caused some drag. No need for them there anyhow, as the large elevator has enough authority already.

Thanks again,
Geoffrey