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-   -   Steps on a taildragger? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=101747)

RV6_flyer 07-10-2013 05:30 PM

Step
 
One of my friends with an RV-6 purchased a folding step for his girlfriend so that she can have an easier time getting in his airplane.

I liked it so much, I purchased one to help my 82-year old mother get in and out of my RV-6 for her first trip with me in the airplane to AirVenture 2013.

The step folded and ready to go in the airplane.


The step setup ready to help any PAX in or out of the airplane.

roadrunner20 07-10-2013 05:40 PM

Yep. I used to carry one just like that for my wife.

Greg Arehart 07-10-2013 10:08 PM

I put steps on the RV9A when it was a 9A. Since converting to a 9, I'm still very happy to have the steps. They help a lot when kneeling on the wing working on various things. And my (short) wife really still likes them rather than trying to step up onto the wing.

Greg

Steve Barnes 07-10-2013 11:26 PM

I have them on my plane
 
I put an 80" prop and longer gear legs to accommodate it. The steps are very helpful for short legged passengers.

Steve

Snowflake 07-10-2013 11:39 PM

A local builder put steps on his -9 intentionally. Apart from making the step up a little easier, it helps with giving looky-loos at fly-ins something other than your flaps to bang their shins on. After they hit the step, they are a little more careful about getting close to the flap.

JDRhodes 07-11-2013 06:56 AM

The -9 came as a -9A project and already had the step brackets installed and holes in the skin, so the steps were installed in the taildragger version.

Clearance is fine - no issues. Find them useful when going up (and more so with the old, young, or short people) but I find them awkward to use going down. The geometry is such that it's hard to miss the flap trailing edge when you're aiming for the step as you step down. I generally go straight from wing walk to the ground on the dismount, and I always advise my passengers to do the same.

JDRhodes 07-11-2013 06:58 AM

- But... Flaps are different on the -9 than on the short-wing airplanes, so this may be part of the issue.

I like flaps down for mount dismount on the -7, but flaps up on the -9.

Sam Buchanan 07-11-2013 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyDale (Post 786958)
I am converting a 7a to a 7. The project had steps installed. I am wondering if they will be useful and worth the extra weight or should I take them off. I have not had the opportunity to be around RVs enough to know or have an opinion. Also not sure if ground clearance would be an issue. Can anyone advise?

Several years ago I installed a step on the passenger side of my RV-6. One of my passengers was having an increasingly difficult time, especially the step from the wing to the ground.

But the standard step was too long, too close to the ground and just looked goofy. I cut three inches out of the step, put a piece of 4130 tubing inside the streamline tubing for reinforcement, and welded everything back together. The step is now positioned halfway between the ground and wing and looks like it fits the plane.

I asked Vans if they could have their vendor make a few of these "taildragger" steps, I think the increasing average age of RVers would sell a few sets each year. They didn't think too much of my suggestion but I suspect Russ McCutcheon could set up a jig and weld up a few if we asked.

edbooth 07-11-2013 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer (Post 787035)
One of my friends with an RV-6 purchased a folding step for his girlfriend so that she can have an easier time getting in his airplane.

I liked it so much, I purchased one to help my 82-year old mother get in and out of my RV-6 for her first trip with me in the airplane to AirVenture 2013.

The step folded and ready to go in the airplane.


The step setup ready to help any PAX in or out of the airplane.

We use one of these also. I put a small lanyard on it so the wife can pull it up after she steps on the wing....works great

turbo 07-11-2013 09:49 AM

on my A model i am down to one on the copilot side. the other was removed years ago when it started cracking at the angle. when i feel old i board on the right side, but usually the knee building exercise helps when i feel great and go up my side. choices are good. :rolleyes:


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