Do I want Steps? -14 taildragger

markelliott · #1 11-06-2018, 07:49 AM

Need to make a decision.......help? Do I need / want steps on a -14 taildragger? I know it's my choice, but for those of you who fly the -14 Taildragger what do you prefer?

if its a 14A doesn't matter your opinion - sorry

Thanks
Mark

Av8rRob · #2 11-06-2018, 08:23 AM

I bought and installed them but im not flying yet. I figured they will help passengers and if i dont want them they are easy to remove. However if I built without them then changed my mind they would be a pain to install after the fact.

Mark33 · #3 11-06-2018, 08:42 AM

I'm going to be putting them on my -7 tail dragger. And like Rob, I'm going to make them removable. On the -7, I'll have to shorten them to probably about half the length they are now. Personally, don't need them "yet" to get in and out of the airplane, but I think they'll be a VERY nice option to have in place for my older passengers.

Mark

Mel · #4 11-06-2018, 08:45 AM

It depends on your age and height. I am 75 and short. I need them. You will get older and your passengers may already be there.
I designed the steps for my -6. They go straight out behind the flaps, therefore they have no welds. Very simple. Give me your email and I'll send pics if interested.

bkervaski · #5 11-06-2018, 08:46 AM

At very least the steps would be an indicator to onlookers .. maybe avoid somebody stepping on a flap and causing some grief ..

G5Driver · #6 11-06-2018, 08:48 AM

Mark,
I'm also building the -14 TD. I got a chance to sit in the demonstrator in OSH this year.
It had the steps and I noticed what a big step it would be without them especially for passengers.
I think it will be much easier to board with them and probably help save the flaps from damage trying to step over them.
In fact, they should have been included in the TD kit as they are with the -14A.

iamtheari · #7 11-06-2018, 08:52 AM

I had the opportunity test-sit in an RV-14 to see how I fit. No sense spending thousands of hours to build a plane that I hate to be in. It was a tail dragger that did not have steps, which made the decision for me: no steps on my RV-14. I figure that any passengers who need a step will be better off having me help them into the plane anyhow, and I can use one of those little folding plastic stools to aid with that process. But I'm 36 years old and 6'2". Check back in 50 years if I still think I don't need a step.

SabreFlyr · #8 11-06-2018, 09:26 AM

I've only just finished the tail feathers on my dragon-tail -14. However, I looked at the taildragger steps at Oshkosh and I'm convinced that my wife, if not I myself, will need the step. It's been a while so I don't remember for sure.

tjo · #9 11-06-2018, 10:59 AM

I'm building a 9, not a 14, but I did some research on this topic. Here's what I found:
1) Of the folks with tailwheels, most did not have them.
2) The ones that did have them wouldn't have it without.
3) Of the ones that did not have them there were some that wished they did.
4) There where some that went through the pain of installing them post build and thought it was definitely worth it.
5) Bob Axsom made his removeable, and speed testing showed less than 1mph difference with and without.

As a result, I am building with them. HTH,

Tim

Don E · #10 11-06-2018, 11:13 AM

Ever since i put my RV-14 on its gear, ive been VERY happy i bought and installed the steps. Im 6?3? and use them every time. Almost anyone who will fly with me (I?m in Phase I as of two weeks ago!) will need them. The step up onto a -14 is much higher and longer than onto any other Van?s tail dragger.