Landing an RV...sometimes on purpose

DavidK · #1 05-25-2016, 09:26 PM

I'm a very low-hours pilot, and now make some novel error each time I fly the DA-20 or 172. I've been thinking about the RV-14, and trying to figure out risks.

The few NTSB reports I read include the expected: fuel starvation, failed mods that should not have been done, improper engine rebuilds...nothing attributed to construction mistakes by a novice like me. But most of the emergency landings included a nose-over.

Then I looked at a compilation of Canadian RVs showing take-offs and landings. It appeared that the take off rolls are a lot shorter than my 172 take offs (probably a good thing). But on landing, these experienced pilots all bounced more than my instructor let me get away with.

Taken together, it makes a new guy like me wonder whether the plane's weight and 'urge to be airborne' changes the way I should think about a 'good' landing. More importantly, it makes we wonder whether it's a plane I can handle. (Or will be able to handle after years of building, while practicing in rentals).

Thoughts?

Ironflight · #2 05-25-2016, 10:05 PM

If you decel good basic flying skills and then get good transition training, you shoudl have no more problem with an RV than any other plane. The RV-14 (either nose or taildragger) is a wonderful and forgiving airplane to fly.

Good fundamentals, good transition trianing - good flying.

WAM120RV · #3 05-26-2016, 05:38 AM

Hi

The landing gear is basically undamped Spring steel and if you are not accurate with the flare it will bounce you back up. Having said that transitioning should not be a problem

flightlogic · #4 05-26-2016, 06:06 AM

My technique has evolved over four decades. It has worked for me for transitions quite well. It is simple. Pick a long runway. Pick a time of day when everyone else is too lazy to get up that early. Approach the runway and SLOW down. Get low, with a stable approach and then try your best NOT to let the airplane land. It usually touches down quite softly. I have tried this out with seaplanes, super cubs, all the cessnas, small jets like the L-39, the beaver, and the king air 90. I get lots of compliments on landings. Most pilots I fly with touch down too fast. And BTW, purchase books by Rod Machado. He is one of the best teachers in all of aviation and he is funny. You can't beat that combination. Have fun too !

DaleB · #5 05-26-2016, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flightlogic

Get low, with a stable approach and then try your best NOT to let the airplane land. It usually touches down quite softly.

Exactly!! I finally figured out the way that works for me is to try NOT to land, and fail gracefully. Power at idle, wheels just off the pavement, and try to keep it off the ground. You can't, but when you fail it looks like a landing.

Some days a gusty crosswind means you might be a little less graceful than others. I'm still working on that part.

scrollF4 · #6 05-26-2016, 09:18 AM

X3. I do the same thing, but have a slightly different mindset: I make the airplane earn the touchdown. Same squeaker outcome (more often than not).

David, the bottom line is that you'll learn to fly, and land, the RV. Learning it is not at all difficult, and every moment of it is pure joy.

Rupester · #7 05-26-2016, 09:24 AM

My RV is the easiest plane to land I have ever flown .... For sure easier than any of the 172s I flew over the years. The most challenging part is getting slowed down in the pattern to deploy flaps.

terrye · #8 05-26-2016, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAM120RV

Hi

The landing gear is basically undamped Spring steel and if you are not accurate with the flare it will bounce you back up.

As is the landing gear on a Cessna such as the 172 the OP is flying. Later 172 models have the same rod type Steve Whitman main landing gear as the RV-6,7,9. Early 172 models have the same leaf spring type Steve Whitman main landing gear as the RV-8.

Mike H · #9 05-26-2016, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrye

As is the landing gear on a Cessna such as the 172 the OP is flying. Later 172 models have the same rod type Steve Whitman main landing gear as the RV-6,7,9. Early 172 models have the same leaf spring type Steve Whitman main landing gear as the RV-8.

The -14A has leaf spring main gear. The -14 has very large diameter tapered rod type main gear.

Pat Stewart · #10 05-26-2016, 11:37 AM

The RV is just a different airplane from your 172, that doesn't mean harder. As Paul said get some good transition training but the message from your instructor will be the same as when you learned to fly the Cessna, CONTROL YOUR SPEED, CONTROL YOUR SPEED, CONTROL YOUR SPEED. If you fly the pattern correctly with the proper speeds these aircraft are simple to land.

I have a good friend who fly's an 8 and has several thousand hours in an RV. I have told him several times that he is the only person I know with 3000 takeoffs and 6000 landings. He likes to land it on the tail wheel and then touch the mains so I call it two landings.