RV8 - an aerobatic two seater?

[HansR]

Originally Posted by ronschreck

I do think you misunderstood. Spins in the RV are quite docile for the first two turns or so then they tend to accelerate which tends to disturb pilots who are unfamiliar with spins. Recovery from upright spins in the RV is quite simple and normal spin recovery techniques are all that is required. I would suggest that you get some dual instruction in spin and unusual attitude recovery procedures if you are new to aerobatics.

I think that Van's recommendation that spins "not be casually undertaken" implies that proper training or aerobatic experience is recommended before taking on spins in your RV.

Have fun. Be safe.

Very well, I have overinterpreted the writing.

I have done some spins in gliders, and also properly recovered from unintentional spin, so I am not all new.

I look forward to do as many spins as is required to automatically respond correctly.

[HansR]

Hi all, long time no see!

I have now flown my -8 40 hours, and it is really nice!
However, I have not been able to get the aerobatics instructions (not a lot of instructors around here).

I have started a little bit with barrel rolls.

Now I want to try loop, immelman and cuban eights.

Please advice:
Entry speed?
Initial G's?
G's at top?
When to power off?


The RV is very slippery, so I am very afraid to accelerate above Vne. Is it difficult to keep in in the envelope?

[donaziza]

Originally Posted by RV8JD

Hans,

In case you haven't seen these, here are three good articles. The first is "An Aerobatic Epistle" by Van himself.

Another article by Van named "IAC Aerobatics in RVs", with a great section at the end on "Preparing Your RV for Aerobatics" by Ron Schrek.

And one by Budd Davisson, "RVs, Aerobatics, & You".

All the advice about getting aerobatic dual instruction in a powerplane

stands.

Carl, Thanks a million for showing these. Didn't know they existed. Have just printed all of them, and will read at my leisure. I "do" do acro, but they are Slo-o-o-opy. If I had to take on a mig, the mig would win.

[HansR]

I have read the articles, but not saved them.... now the links do not work anymore.
Anyone can help me?

[WingnutWick]

I’ll take my 8 above 4Gs regularly. I try never to get to 6 though, but the natural stick forces make that hard to do anyway unless you’re really pulling. Come on Evan, surely you bend those Marchettis past 4 don’t you!?

Originally Posted by ronschreck

I suppose you are correct BUT I paid for and built an aerobatic airplane and I intend to use every bit of the flight envelope that I paid for!

[HansR]

Now I have done some aerobatics in my RV.

My RV-8 is rather heavy, and I am too, about 210 lbs.

To stay within aero gross weight, the passenger may max weigh 175 lbs to give any kind of margin for fuel.

I have tried some aerobatics with 130 lbs passenger, and to be honest, the CG change already makes the -8 so much twitchier that I think it would be unwise to do it with someone over 175.

When having a 220 lbs passenger, the elevator stick force is so small I think it would be very easy to make a G overload.

That said, I will continue with aerobatics, but only by my self or with lightweight passenger.

[Saber25]

To Hans from Hans,

Ditch the big guys in back for acro. I have a -4 and generally fly acro solo since most people don't enjoy acro rides as much as the guy flying and as you mentioned, the aircraft gets pitch sensitive with that extra weight in back.

Only exception would be a slender Swedish gal that laughs a lot when pulling a few G's and turning the world upside down.

Cheers, Hans

[HansR]

Originally Posted by Saber25

To Hans from Hans,

Only exception would be a slender Swedish gal that laughs a lot when pulling a few G's and turning the world upside down.

Cheers, Hans

Right, that's exactly what I have done, but my experience is that people are quite excited if they get some acro, afterwards anyway.

Some rolls can of course be done with all passengers.

The flight character really changes with heavy passenger! Also without acro