What keeps you from flying aerobatics? Really?

[Nihon_Ni]

Originally Posted by flyinhood

Out of curiosity, was your background in the military? Just curious because there are some guys at my airport who enjoy the fun and practice of RV acro but not the being judged / competition or "checked". Just some fun maneuvers once in a while to exercise the ability of the pilot and airplane. Nobody judging, just having fun. I enjoy the practice to be my best, but I'm not sure if I'd like the checking / competition component.

I have a military background, but the checkride I was referring to was in a T-6 Texan outside of the military. I didn't mind the pressure of the acro portion of the checkride more or less than any other portion of the ride.

My RV-8 will not have inverted oil or flop tubes. I hope to never experience another negative G as long as I live!

[WillyEyeBall]

Some people can enjoy being upside down temporarily at 1 G. It stretches the back and feels good to me. That's all you're going to feel flying Primary and Sportsman. The only negative thing I've found with being upside down is occasionally getting snot in the eyes.
Bill McLean
RV-4 slider
lower AL

[Champ]

I plan on getting some aerobatic training this spring. I?ve tried a few aileron rolls at 5000 agl - none very well. In fact the last one ended up a split S - when inverted the nose started to drop and instinct told me to pull - wrong! Pulled 3 1/2 g in recovery. This seems like a fun maneuver if you planned on it.

I?m 68 yrs old in good health with 100 hr in my RV8 and would like to do some gentleman aerobatics safely. I?m not interested in competition at this stage. Local CFI has no RV experience but instructs in a Grob. Would this relate to an a RV?

Also - this is probably a topic for another thread and I?ll be doing some research on it but does anyone have recommend maneuver entry speeds for a beginner?

[luddite42]

Originally Posted by Champ

Also - this is probably a topic for another thread and I?ll be doing some research on it but does anyone have recommend maneuver entry speeds for a beginner?

First of all, Vans publishes info on this, and secondly after you get training you will see that exact entry speeds are not very important. I'm glad you recognize the value in training. The accidental split S you described is the cliche for why training is a good idea. Glad it didn't end badly for you. The positive G aileron roll is literally the easiest maneuver you can in an RV...as you long as you know just enough about how not to screw it up and do what you did. Enjoy the learning process.

[ronschreck]

Originally Posted by Champ

I?m 68 yrs old in good health with 100 hr in my RV8 and would like to do some gentleman aerobatics safely. I?m not interested in competition at this stage. Local CFI has no RV experience but instructs in a Grob. Would this relate to an a RV?

I hope you are talking about the Grob G-120 and not their glider. I think the G-120 would be a great training platform (+6, -4 Gs) if your instructor is well-versed in aerobatics. Basic spin and unusual attitude training in the G-120 should transfer to your RV quite well.

[ksdflying]

I have been trying. Need some camaraderie or such for help to get more involved. I don't have a plane right now. Building and RV-8! Trying to get it flying this year. I will try to reach out to you and see how to get involved. I want to get into this. Just don't know how or who to reach out too.

[ronschreck]

Originally Posted by ksdflying

I have been trying. Need some camaraderie or such for help to get more involved. I don't have a plane right now. Building and RV-8! Trying to get it flying this year. I will try to reach out to you and see how to get involved. I want to get into this. Just don't know how or who to reach out too.

IAC 27
Collierville, TN
President: Michael Tipton
Contact: 573-922-9600 | michael.tipton@hotmail.com
Meetings: Every 1st Saturday 9:00 AM
Location: DeWitt Spain Airport-CAF Hangar
2787 N 2nd Street
Memphis, TN 38127


IAC 3
Atlanta, GA
President: Thomas Hartvigsen
Contact: 931-962-0811 | thartvigs@comcast.net
Meetings: Every 3rd Saturday TBA
Location: Contact President
115 Airport Road, Box 2
Newnan GA 30263

Either chapter may have practice days at an airport nearer to you. Feel free to PM me if there are specific questions you have.

[Champ]

Originally Posted by ronschreck

I hope you are talking about the Grob G-120 and not their glider. I think the G-120 would be a great training platform (+6, -4 Gs) if your instructor is well-versed in aerobatics. Basic spin and unusual attitude training in the G-120 should transfer to your RV quite well.

Ron,
Thanks for the reply. I don?t know much about the plane yet but it?s a Grob G-115c with an O-320, +6-3G, and thankfully has sticks. Apparently a baby brother to the G-120. Should do the job.

[BMC_Dave]

Originally Posted by ronschreck

Bob,
At contests and sanctioned practice days we always have an observer on the ground with a radio tuned to CTAF to advise incoming and departing aircraft of the aerobatic activity in the airport area and a NOTAM should be published as well. You and I know that few pilots read NOTAMS and there are always people flying over airfields without making an advisory call. It sure helps to have an observer on the ground but occasionally one gets missed. We do what we can.

I recall seeing TFRs issued in our area for airshows, I thought that was the norm? In fact the more I think about it if you're expecting people to not enter an area so you can perform then it should be restricted, otherwise it's see and avoid like everywhere else right?

[ronschreck]

Originally Posted by BMC_Dave

I recall seeing TFRs issued in our area for airshows, I thought that was the norm? In fact the more I think about it if you're expecting people to not enter an area so you can perform then it should be restricted, otherwise it's see and avoid like everywhere else right?

Never heard of anyone setting up a TFR for a practice day. I doubt you would get the FAA to do that. So, see and avoid is the usual practice and we have an observer on the ground with a radio to look for traffic and advise them of the aerobatic activity and suggest a course of action to avoid conflict. The pilot in the box may not see conflicting traffic as he is usually pretty busy. He can be directed to "knock it off" if necessary to avoid traffic.