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-   -   Flaps down on shutdown? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=185567)

jcarne 08-08-2020 05:43 PM

Ya I'm not seeing the flap cycle issue as a real issue. We fly some expensive machines, if I have to replace a flap motor at some point to avoid someone stepping on a flap it's not going to break my heart. On the other hand, if I have to replace a flap that is already painted... well that one will make me mad. :)

NewbRVator 08-08-2020 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MED (Post 1452845)
Careful, the flap gods might be listening . . . :eek:

Oh no know he’s gone in done it....

Did he really say that, shoot.....

SPX 08-08-2020 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lr172 (Post 1452683)
Same here. I like lifting them during roll out to keep the nose up longer. See no need to put them down again. If I didn't trust a passenger enough not to step on them, they wouldn't be invited in for the ride.

Larry

Your comment about lifting the flaps during roll out to keep the nose up longer got my attention. While flying today, I did a few landings, and on two of them, tried retracting the flaps on roll out, and noticed basically zero difference. On my RV-9A, I can hold the nose off the ground until about 33 knots, with the flaps down. On the two landings with the flaps raised on rollout, the nose was able to be held up until 32 and 34 knots.

What has your experience been for you to conclude that by lifting the flaps on roll out, the nose stays up longer?

Conventional flying wisdom says don't touch anything on the runway...

rvbuilder2002 08-08-2020 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPX (Post 1452875)
What has your experience been for you to conclude that by lifting the flaps on roll out, the nose stays up longer?

Conventional flying wisdom says don't touch anything on the runway...

I would agree with you if there was a gear retract switch on the panel (though I guess it is good to use standardized procedures across all models of aircraft flown).

Raising the flaps on the RV-6, 7, & 8 will allow for holding the nose up to a lower speed.
I have manual flaps on my 6A and retract them immediately after touchdown. It definitely lowers the speed at which I can hold the nose wheel off.

I have never tried it in a 9A. With the slotted flap, perhaps there is enough through flow that the horizontal tail isn't effected as much as on the plain flap RV's.

RV6_flyer 08-08-2020 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel (Post 1452838)
Flaps up before start; Flaps one notch before takeoff; Flaps up after obstacle clearance; Flaps down on approach; Flaps up after touchdown; Flaps down after engine shutdown.

Never a flap failure in the RV in over 27 years.

The beauty of MANUAL flaps.

BlndRvtr 08-08-2020 08:50 PM

Can the flaps not be stepped on without damage?

George

SPX 08-08-2020 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 (Post 1452886)
I would agree with you if there was a gear retract switch on the panel (though I guess it is good to use standardized procedures across all models of aircraft flown).

Yeah, I really don’t see the problem with retracting flaps on the runway in an RV. No gear handle to be confused with, and many of us have the flaps switch on the stick, so the eyes don’t move at all to move the flaps. Similar viewpoint with manual flaps. I’d probably be less of a fan when there was both a gear and a flap handle in close proximity.

Mel 08-08-2020 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer (Post 1452887)
The beauty of MANUAL flaps.

YEP............

flion 08-08-2020 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlndRvtr (Post 1452895)
Can the flaps not be stepped on without damage?

George

They were not designed for foot traffic. Even the wing skins are too light for that, which is why the wing walk area has a doubler skin.

Pilot135pd 08-08-2020 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer (Post 1452887)
The beauty of MANUAL flaps.

I wish I had the knowledge to design and install manual flaps on my RV8. That would be the improvement of the century for me.


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