Van - A little help here!

[ronschreck]

I sure wish Van would remove this wording from his company website.


"Although RVs are capable aerobatic aircraft, we do not recommend them for serious competition aerobatics. Their high speed is not suited to the restricted competition zones. In order to stay “in the box’’ they would have to fly slower and lose the benefit of inertia, or keep the speed up and pull too many Gs."

There are a lot of RV pilots flying in IAC competition who take issue with this. We stay in the box, don't over-G the aircraft and have done quite well against many purpose built aerobatic aircraft. We have the trophies to prove it!

[Ralph Inkster]

Pat yourself on the back, you must be an exceptional pilot to be able to handle such an aircraft with such a terrible handicap....

[Gash]

Ralph, I'm not sure what you're trying to say there. Ron is simply stating a well-known fact in the International Aerobatic Club, that Vans RV aircraft are very capable, safe and enjoyable to fly in competition aerobatics. I competed in the RV-8 in Sportsman and won quite a few contests against a slew of certificated aerobatic airplanes. And so did Ron and many others. Ron is absolutely correct. Our RVs can easily stay inside a 1km square contest box while flying competition figures and not even getting close to a G limit. Most Vans RV pilots can fly the heck out of the planes and never go over 4 Gs.

[WillyEyeBall]

Ron,
I don't know where you found Vans statement about RVs not suitable for aerobatic competition. When I go to Vans home page, I see this:

AEROBATICS
The RV-4 has been flown in aerobatic competitions for years. It makes a great platform for weekend aerobatics, too. But please, get proper instruction!

Want to do some loops and rolls? The RV-8 is a fully aerobatic-capable airplane, stable and responsive. You'll even see RV-8's competing in sportsman and intermediate categories.

If you want to go beyond the Intermediate level, you'll have to move up to an aircraft designed for Advanced aerobatics like Gash has. I think Ralph is just being sarcastic and pulling your chain. HA HA I can't think of a better aircraft than an RV to begin competition aerobatics and enjoy the fun.
Bill
RV-4 slider
lower AL

[SPX]

Originally Posted by WillyEyeBall

Ron,
I don't know where you found Vans statement about RVs not suitable for aerobatic competition.

https://www.vansaircraft.com/flying-an-rv/

Search for the words "Although RVs are capable aerobatic aircraft"

[jls32]

I know of only one RV to fly Intermediate and he broke his canopy on snaps.

I think the RV is easier than a Super D thru Sportsman. Most Super D?s won?t snap and stop at Sportsman.

I plan on inverted fuel but not oil for easy acro.

[Ralph Inkster]

Excuse my probably failed attempt at humor.
I have great admiration to those that can make their RVs perform to that high standard. I also see Van's conservative stance as a valid advisory to those less skilled & untrained... like me.

[WillyEyeBall]

SPX, thanks for the reference, but agree with Ron and the other 20 or so RVers that have competed with their RVs. I know of 4 RVs that have competed at the Intermediate level, and two (Ron, and another, brought home some plaques). That said, the snap rolls may be adding additional stress with possible canopy damage, especially when initiated at and above max maneuvering speed.
Bill
RV-4 slider, 10 years of aerobatic competition
lower AL

[AlexPeterson]

Originally Posted by jls32

SNIP

I plan on inverted fuel but not oil for easy acro.

How does this make sense?

[RV8JD]

Especially since Dick ('Van') himself wrote an article in the August 2016 issue of Sport Aviation titled, "IAC Aerobatics in RVs", with a sidebar by Ron titled, "Preparing Your RV for Aerobatics".

In the article Van summarizes:

"All RV models listed by Van’s Aircraft as having aerobatic structural limits are suitable for IAC Primary and Sportsman level competitions, and even Intermediate level in the hands of more experienced pilots. This assertion presupposes that the aircraft are not significantly overweight and have not been constructed with airframe modifications that have affected structural integrity or imposed maneuvering or controllability limitations. Another important point is that pilots remember that RVs should not be considered suitable for strenuous competition aerobatics and should not be flown at competition levels likely to impose g-loads in excess of design limits. In the lower levels of aerobatic competition, skilled and precise flying can produce high scores without requiring complex maneuvers and excessive g-loads. With this as a goal, pilots can gain this added level of enjoyment and use from their very versatile RV-3Bs, -4s, -6s, -7s, -8s, and -14s. ..."

It's a very good article that covers many the important points of aerobatics in RVs (e.g., design limits, snap rolls, tail slides, fuel weight, aft cg, etc.). Ron's sidebar covers other practical items that should be considered when doing aerobatics in general.