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-   -   RV-8 Rear Cockpit (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=13493)

Paul "OX" Harder 12-17-2006 06:58 AM

RV-8 Rear Cockpit
 
My Dad and I are building an RV-8 QB (empenage complete,wings closed and tips finished, interior fuselage panels done) and were wondering if anyone has put a minimum cockpit (either glass or steam guage) in the backseat of their -8? Also, has anyone put a true dual throttle (throttle, mixture and prop control) in the back? We're both pilots and don't want to let the other have to much fun up front. Ha Ha! Any info or pics would be greatly appreciated.

Low Pass 12-17-2006 07:47 AM

Sorry, no pics available. But consider a "large" portable GPS for your back seat autopilot, er, pilot. ;) Mount it on the mid-cabin steel tubing assy/front seat back support. I've mounted a GPS Pilot III and it worked nicely for map, heading and altitude display.

I'm sure with a little thought and some mods, you could put mix, prop & and throttle in the back. I just have a throttle.

What you didn't mention was the rudder pedals and brakes. If you want full dual controls, you might want to think about what you want with pedals. Van's backseat pedals, are OK for flight but pretty minimal for anything like landing or taxiing. And they have no brake accomodations.

Brian Denk 12-17-2006 10:07 AM

I agree fully with Bri...uh BRYan. (We're a highly intelligent people.) I would keep any instrumentation to a bare minimum in the back as it will certainly get smacked around by knees, feet, etc during egress over the years. A GPS alone is fine. Let the front seater monitor the engine. Put the ASI high up in the corner of the panel so the GIB can see it and leave it at that.

The back seat rudder pedals are fine for flight, but hard to work on the ground. I found myself stomping and cursing at them mostly during my dual checkout back in '99. I was able to takeoff and land with them but it seems they could use more length...just maybe an inch more, so your feet are actually pressing on them instead of the 804 bulkhead over which they extend. I have both the pedal and throttle kits but will probably never install them.

RV8N 12-17-2006 03:33 PM

I installed the rear throttle and have only had one person use it. I don't let people in the back do take-offs or landing so they really don't have a reason to mess with it.

I also found that the rudder pedals for the rear are pretty much useless. The ailerons are all you need for coordinated turns so the rudder pedals aren't even needed. I also disliked the way they ate up space on the little side panels (where the fuel selector is). I stow charts and stuff there and the shafts of the rudder pedals just pissed me off. So they're gone.

I do like the little idler arms that support the rudder cables where they join with the rudder pedal cables. I will leave them in.

I don't have any instruments in the back right now. I plan on replacing my Lowrance airmap 100 with a 600c. I will then mount the 100 in the back seat for my wife (or whoever else may be back there).

Karl

praterdj 12-18-2006 08:11 AM

I have a Garmin 196 that I will be mounting to the rear of the front seat on the roll bar. It has a screen with the 6 pack instruments that would provide the rear pilot with enough information. It's light and I also plan to mount it into the removable mount so I can grab it for a back up if necessary.

Andrew Griffin 12-18-2006 11:01 PM

I've always wondered why one of the EFIS manufacturers haven't put out a flat screen attachment to their systems which is just a display of what the front person see's running off the fronts air data computer etc. This way the back seater can cycle through PFD / ND / Engine page and keep right in the loop if desired. I would certainly look at buying something like this.

Kevin Horton 12-19-2006 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Griffin
I've always wondered why one of the EFIS manufacturers haven't put out a flat screen attachment to their systems which is just a display of what the front person see's running off the fronts air data computer etc. This way the back seater can cycle through PFD / ND / Engine page and keep right in the loop if desired. I would certainly look at buying something like this.

Dynon was asked to do this on their web forum. They said that they had looked at the concept, but they would need to sell the repeater display for around $1,500, and they didn't think there was a market at that price. I agree.

Ironflight 12-19-2006 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Griffin
I've always wondered why one of the EFIS manufacturers haven't put out a flat screen attachment to their systems which is just a display of what the front person see's running off the fronts air data computer etc. This way the back seater can cycle through PFD / ND / Engine page and keep right in the loop if desired. I would certainly look at buying something like this.

You can do this functionally with a GRT unit - add a third MDU, and put it in the back - but it's not a flat panel. The problem is that the MDU isn't just a screen, it's a whole computer. In order to let the backseater have control over their own display, it would essentially have to be that same whole computer, so adding a flat panel would be a complete re-design....

I agree though - it would be a neat option!

DanH 12-19-2006 07:45 AM

The idea went badly off track. What I originally suggested was literally a repeater screen. Thin form factor, no buttons or controls, not even an on-off switch; just a mirror of whatever was on the parent unit. The idea morphed into being controllable so that you could display another function.

N62XS 12-19-2006 11:09 AM

GRT in the back seat?
 
My RV-8 is wired for a EFIS unit in the back seat, along with the previously described rudder pedals and reat throttle control. I have an instrument panel cut and powder coated for attachment to the rear roll bar. The problem involves the depth of the GRT unit. If installed on a panel that lies flush on the rear roll bar, it interferes with the back of the front seat. I have several ideas to solve the problem, but due to other projects, I've not dedicated the money or time to this upgrade.

BTW-I did all of my transition training (six hours) from the back seat of a RV-8 with the rudder pedals. The first dozen landings at LZU were interesting, but after that, it was definitely nott the most difficult thing I have encountered.


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