A few questions regarding the forward floor, RV-8

[Terry Lutz]

It has been my experience with tailwheel airplanes that your heels need to slide rather easily when waltzing on the rudders. Carpet doesn't hold up well, unless there is some vinyl or even aluminum where your heels are in action. When I finished by RV-8, I used a product called "coin grip pvc flooring", or "dime mat". It is the same stuff you see in the galley of an A320 when you enter via the forward boarding door. I made a pattern so that when I cut the mat, it fit nicely around the gear towers. That insures that it doesn't slide around when I move my feet. It has worked perfectly, and does not show any wear after 350 hours of flying. You can shop around, but here is a potential source:

http://www.rubbercal.com/coin-grip-r...-flooring.html

I painted my rudder pedals, but the paint is worn off where my feet are in action. BTW, the rubber pads with R V on them in the picture are pretty cool. Where did they come from?

[cdeerinck]

Originally Posted by Terry Lutz

BTW, the rubber pads with R V on them in the picture are pretty cool. Where did they come from?

Ditto on the rubber pads. Very slick! I would love to get a set.

[greghughespdx]

Rudder pedals on my build made by Paul at http://controlapproach.com/ (I saw him the other day and I think he may have some in stock right now, as well) and the surface is textured. Provides some grip, yet feet can also slide as needed and the geometry seems it can really help in keeping toes off brakes except when needed/intended.

I plan to put vinyl self-adhering wing walk material from Flyboys on the floor.

The pedals:

[cdeerinck]

FYI, I found the Rudder Pedal Extensions pictured on the first page here:

http://www.mlblueskunk.com/Rudder_pedal_Extensions.html

[akarmy]

Originally Posted by cdeerinck

FYI, I found the Rudder Pedal Extensions pictured on the first page here:

http://www.mlblueskunk.com/Rudder_pedal_Extensions.html

Yep, those are the ones I used. They work great! For me it's just enough change in geometry to keep off the brakes until you want to be on them.

[YvesCH]

Hi Greg,
on the first picture you have the Grove break Reservoir and on the others the "stock" setup. Which solution did you use in the end and why?

Originally Posted by greghughespdx

Rudder pedals on my build made by Paul at http://controlapproach.com/ (I saw him the other day and I think he may have some in stock right now, as well) and the surface is textured. Provides some grip, yet feet can also slide as needed and the geometry seems it can really help in keeping toes off brakes except when needed/intended.

I plan to put vinyl self-adhering wing walk material from Flyboys on the floor.

The pedals:

[MartinACFactory]

Hello !

I am quite enjoying this thread, as I am right at that stage in my RV-8 building. I shall start assembling my rudder pedals any day now.

As for the forward floor, I picked up the idea of making "scuff plates" from another builder website. See picture below. I made the same plates out of 2024-T3 0.032" thick. Mine are 20 inches long by 5 inches wide. To install those scuff plates, I will replace 4 rivets with nut plates at the floor beams, then add two more nut plates at the front, for each scuff plates. I am right now installing those same plates on my fwd floor.



With these scuff plate, my floor will not get damaged, and my feet will slide on easily while doing acro. This plates can be quickly replaced with new ones over time. The downside is that they add a little weight to the aircraft.

For the rudder pedals, I will definitely purchase the rubber pedal extensions shown on this thread. Also, I am considering installing foot straps, just like on the CAP 10 aerobatic aircraft I used to fly. These straps are useful to keep your feet on the pedals while you are flying inverted....

[Stu McCurdy]

I left my in-flight adjustable rudder pedals bare.

For my forward floor I left unpainted and went to the aviation aisle at Walmart and got clear vinyl ribbed auto floor mats and cut one to size so it begins just behind the pedals, it is sliced to accommodate the rear backet of pedal slide, it is notched around the gear towers which holds it in place, and comes back to just under start of front seat. It provides friction when climbing in/out and the ribbed area catches any pebbles or fluid from shoes. When it get stained I just put a new one in.

[greghughespdx]

Originally Posted by YvesCH

Hi Greg,
on the first picture you have the Grove break Reservoir and on the others the "stock" setup. Which solution did you use in the end and why?

Used the grove reservoirs at the pedals. Trying to avoid the opportunities for leaks and whatnot with the stock setup. I have not flown yet, hopefully later this year. Of course, that's what I said last year.