Vortex generators — dimension sheet
Source: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/vortex-generators/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)
Basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio
Catalog version: 2026-10-20

Sizes: see table below
- Vortex generators are small vanes that stir high-energy air into the boundary layer to delay separation; full-span VGs reduce stall speed, outboard-only VGs mainly improve stall behaviour and aileron control (Kitplanes, Wainfan).
- First-try height is about 1.2x local boundary-layer thickness (roughly 1-2% of distance from the leading edge), at 15-20 deg to the flow, slightly upstream of the natural separation point (Kitplanes).
- Drag can be significant on laminar wings (Kitplanes); on the S1223 airfoil VGs caused an abrupt stall with hysteresis between 16 and 20 deg (Selig & Guglielmo).
- Used on: Beech Baron (retrofit), Rutan Voyager, Beech Starship, Boeing 727 fin.
- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.

parameter  value or range  source
Height  ~1.2 x boundary-layer thickness  Kitplanes (Wainfan)
Boundary layer thickness  ~1-2% of distance from LE  Kitplanes
Angle to flow  15-20 deg  Kitplanes
Co-rotating: root chord / spacing  ~4h / 5-6h  Kitplanes
Counter-rotating: root chord / pair spacing  ~2.5h / ~10h between pairs  Kitplanes
Reference build  chord 100, VG at 20 deg  Kitplanes

Files elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):
- Kitplanes (B. Wainfan): Wind Tunnel: Vortex Generators and STOL Performance (2012) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.kitplanes.com/wind-tunnel-14/
- University of Illinois (Selig & Guglielmo), Journal of Aircraft 1997: High-Lift Low Reynolds Number Airfoil Design (S1223) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://m-selig.web.engr.illinois.edu/pubs/GuglielmoSelig-1997-JofAC-S1223.pdf

Free files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/vortex-generators/index.json
API: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=vortex-generators