Backcountry Flying in the 8
 

I'd just like to hear of experiences flying a RV8 in some backcountry situations, namely Idaho/Montana. I'm thinking of buying a 8, and I know the RV's don't land all that slow for the shorter fields, as I currently have a -4. I never used my 4 that much for any backcountry due to it's limited gear space... Am I crazy for wanting to land a RV on some rougher surfaces?
Thanks.

The short answer is...
 

Yes.

John Clark ATP, CFI
FAA FAAST Team Member
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

back RV-8
 

Still building but hope to fly mine to some back country strips such as Johnson Creek, which I think is fairly well maintained. Can those with experience comment on the short/rough field capabilities of the -8 and the usefulness of larger tires and leaving off the wheel pants? Van used to take his to some out of the way places, dirt strips.

Which strips?
 

You may have to ask about specific strips you have in mind.
The main ones, no problem. Johnson Creek, Big Creek, Smiley Creek, Stanley, ect....

I met some friends in Idaho last year that landed at quite a few of them. The -8's are at all the airports I mentioned above quite often along with all the other RV's. The only RV's I have not seen are the -3 and -12.

There was a gentleman I met at Johnson's Creek that put RV-10 wheels and pants on a -4/Harmon Rocket so he could land at more airports. But if you stick to the main airports you will have no problems with your stock wheels.

Johnson Creek


Big Creek


And the -8 takes off quick at these strips.

You probably won't be able to land at Mile-Hi with it. :)
Youtube video of a Cub landing at Mile-Hi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr8hdrGN0sE

Rough surface
 

Sure, you can fly an '8' in and out of dirt of grass strips, but it far from the ideal aircraft for a really rough surface mission. If backcountry flying is your main interest, I would suggest looking at something more suited to the task. Larger tires and no wheel pants will improve the ability to handle unimproved surfaces, but you are going to trash the underside of the wing and flaps. There is a reason that there are not a lot of low-wing bush airplanes.

John Clark ATP, CFI
FAA FAAST Team Member
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

Scotts pictures have my -8 and another CXO pilots -7 in them. I've done 2 trips to ID and loved the back-country. An RV (especially and 8) is a great aircraft for this type trip. You won't get as slow (TO/lnd) as a super-cub but climb/cruise performance is wonderful. I go solo to get good perf. Read up on and/or take some mountain lessons (McCall has a couple places) I put a little larger tire on than the standard Vans 5x5. Can't remember what the model is but its a Goodyear from Desser and is basically a 6x that fits on a -5 wheel. Raises the plane up another 1" (better prop clearance) and "grips" the road better. The -8 gear is really nice vs. the rod gear in other RV's. I've been into lots of rough runways and a few fields, no problems, leave the pants on.

back country
 

Thanks for all the useful responses. Bill

A few other relevant threads
 

I did a search and found a few threads that may be relevant to your question.

This thread has a picture of an RV-8 on 31" tundra tires (post #20).

This thread has some discussion and Youtube videos of RV's going into some Idaho strips.

Not an RV-8 but check out post #21 of this thread.
Links to some of the airstrips mentioned in the above thread:
Cabin Creek
Wilson Bar
Lord Flat

There are others if you do a search.

I think the -8 on tundra photos was a joke.. FIW

lots of RV's out there
 

We have a C-185 (the SUV/Backcountry wagon) and an RV8 (sports car), the best of both worlds in many ways. I've seen a fair number of RV's at the well groomed locations like Johnson Creek and Big Creek, and one time saw a -6 at Sulphur Creek. Havent seen any at other locations in the back country, not that its impossible or really that difficult in these birds (your milage and skill may vary). Its more of a question of wear and tear on the airframe in my humble opinion.

Most looked stock, although I've seen a few that obviously took off their wheel pants for the visit.

I have no desire to take my RV8 into the Idaho back country unless there is a good reason to. And then its going to be a well groomed grass location like JC, Big Creek, Flying B, Garden Valley, etc and you still have to be pretty careful about sprinklers and such. There are plenty of rocks that get strewn about even at well used places like Stanley. have Fun!

Tim