WHY DOES THE RV-10?????

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Actually, both of the RV-10 prototypes have an Sport model AOA installed. If you mean what is supplied in the standard kit you are correct, it comes with a vane switch style stall warning sensor.

Yes BUT WHY? Why is it standard on the -10 and not the Dash less than ten models.

Van is notorious for being cheap and here he is adding a warning system, a first for any RV. It makes you wounder what the rational was.

Is the -10 aerodynamics such that natural stall warning (buffet) is not as noticeable?

Is the -10 have a more violent stall characteristic?

Is it the -10's stall speed is higher at gross than other RV's?

Is it the -10 has more people capacity and this safety feature was deemed a needed standard item?

Inquiring minds want to know Scott. What was going on in Van's mind.

[John K]

I flew a demo ride in N220RV with Ken Scott, and we did a stall. It was a mushy non-event, like in a Cessna 172 spam-can. Plenty of buffet in the elevator, and the stick gets a little bit mushy, then a gentle break straight ahead. Almost like a C-172, except for the approx 600 takeoff roll followed by 1500 fpm climb at 120 mph indicated. That part wasn't like any C-172 spam can I've ever flown in!

As for why, you'll have to call Vans and ask.

[attackpilot]

Hello Everyone:

Since someone brought up the subject of the stall warning device, I would like to know from completed -10 builders if they would install it again. I am leaning toward not installing mine since I plan on having an AOA indicator. Just seems like I could put the hours elsewhere.

Any thoughts?

Joe Hutchison
RV-10 Tailcone
AH-64D Instructor Pilot

[dav1111]

If I had it to do over again I would not have installed the
stall warning as it is a waste of time and does little to help with
stall warning. If you have it set right on the money and can't tell
that you are way too slow you are a really bad pilot. If you have it
set just a little bit high and fly a no power approach with full flaps
it is going to sound off long before your wheels touch down in a full
flare power off landing which can cause some passengers a little
concern. Set a little low it does nothing until after you have already
started recovery from a full stall.

The RV-10 stall with my IO-540 and MT prop is so predictable and
recognizable in level flight that it is hard for me to understand how
any reasonably competent pilot who has put the RV-10 through full flight
testing would ever need the stall warning device.

In addition, unless you round off the edges of the stall warning blade
you WILL catch your shirt on it and bend it, which then makes it useless
until you test and re-test where it needs to be bent to get it right on
the money. Ask me how I know!!

[MichRV10]

I have to agree the stall warning flipper is always in the way and I feel it is useless on the 10. I would liked to see some other option like cowl plugs or stick grips. Just a thought.

Sun n Fun bound 4-13-07
3135F

[jonbakerok]

Originally Posted by dav1111

The RV-10 stall with my IO-540 and MT prop is so predictable and
recognizable in level flight that it is hard for me to understand how
any reasonably competent pilot who has put the RV-10 through full flight
testing would ever need the stall warning device.

By recognizable, I assume you mean the high angle of attack. I haven't flow the 10, but since it has the same wing as the others, I bet it doesn't shudder any more than the others -- which is basically not at all until it's too late.

You would think that the high angle of attack would be hard to ignore but its amazing how fast it becomes normal. Then all it takes is something to draw your attention away at the wrong moment while in the pattern. It happened to me a SWRFI a couple of years ago, while following a Cub. My stall warner probably saved my life that day.

The leading cause of death in an RV is stalling in the pattern, just like with every other GA aircraft. RV's have about twice the accident rate of Cessnas and Pipers. Must be lot of lousy RV pilots.

[PJSeipel]

Originally Posted by jonbakerok

By recognizable, I assume you mean the high angle of attack. I haven't flow the 10, but since it has the same wing as the others, I bet it doesn't shudder any more than the others -- which is basically not at all until it's too late.

The RV-10 does not have the same wing as the other RV models. You cannot compare them.

PJ Seipel
RV-10 #40032

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by PJSeipel

The RV-10 does not have the same wing as the other RV models. You cannot compare them.

PJ Seipel
RV-10 #40032

You beat me to it.

The -10 wing is way different, reflex in both the ailerons and flaps, and the c/g is way forward of the max airfoil thickness-----------actually reminds me of a typical airfoil used for radio control flying wings.

As to stall warning, the ten appears to like to drop a wing when slow, full flaps, and turning. Like when you are turning final. One of those things you practice at altitude.

Mike

[w1curtis]

Originally Posted by dav1111

If I had it to do over again I would not have installed the
stall warning as it is a waste of time and does little to help with
stall warning. If you have it set right on the money and can't tell
that you are way too slow you are a really bad pilot. If you have it
set just a little bit high and fly a no power approach with full flaps
it is going to sound off long before your wheels touch down in a full
flare power off landing which can cause some passengers a little
concern. Set a little low it does nothing until after you have already
started recovery from a full stall.

The RV-10 stall with my IO-540 and MT prop is so predictable and
recognizable in level flight that it is hard for me to understand how
any reasonably competent pilot who has put the RV-10 through full flight
testing would ever need the stall warning device.

In addition, unless you round off the edges of the stall warning blade
you WILL catch your shirt on it and bend it, which then makes it useless
until you test and re-test where it needs to be bent to get it right on
the money. Ask me how I know!!

Pilots don't come to hardship with regards to stalling in level flight. Usually they stall when their attention is elsewhere in some maneuver other than level flight. For this reason I would NOT suggest that the provided Van's stall warning is a waste of time or recommend that folks NOT install it. Good pilots should recognize the stall in the C-172 also, but Cessna and the FAA see fit to install one of these tabs, for those less than "reasonably competent" pilots.

[ScottSchmidt]

I also would not install the stall warning if I were to do it again. Between my Chelton's yelling "stall stall" and the AOA barking "angle, angle, push" I pretty much know that I am about 10 knots away from a full stall.