Teaching in an RV-4

Andymatthews · #1 03-08-2008, 10:06 AM

I am in the process of building a 7 but in the mantime I am looking at buying a 4 or 6 with a friend. I came across a couple of 4's for sale that meet my price range but my concern is that one of the goals I have is to teach my kids to fly (I was a CFII) in the aircraft and never having sat in the back seat of a 4 I don't know if it is really feasible to teach from the back seat.
Has anybody tried to do it? If so what challenges were there? Was it significantly harder than you expected? Any help gratefully received.

Greg Reese · #2 03-08-2008, 10:15 AM

Do you want insurance on the hull? I recently checked into giving some instruction in my 8 to check out a new 8 owner friend and found the insurance to be a problem. You either don't insure or pay about $5000/year for full coverage as if you are a commercial operator doing it full time. No in between. As to using a 4 or 8 as a primary trainer, I think its questionable due to their relative high performance.

Vern · #3 03-08-2008, 11:15 AM

Contact Ginny Estes at NationAir. (jestes@nationair.com) Tell her "Vern sent you."

She told me a about a 'teach one or two' deal that was a whole lot cheaper.

A friend teaches some including his family members from his RV-4 and has lived to tell about it.

Blind landings are typical for IPs in many taildraggers, T-6s for example. Just have a high level of proficiency and sit as high up as you can. Make sure you can see the airspeed from the rear. Make sure the rudder pedals are really useable for you. That flap handle/seat belts/ sometimes gets in the way. Hang on tight!

The side by side config is a much better teaching platform.

asav8tor · #4 03-08-2008, 02:10 PM

Depends on the IP and the student. A full control rear seat in a 4 or 8 flown by a former T-38 IP with a highly capable student.... very doable. I have not however seen a 4 or 8 with rear seat brakes! No brakes back there and now you have a safety compromise.

A less capable IP + Average or below average student + no rear seat brakes + a little gusty crosswind = bent metal and cuss words and stomping around with you fists clenched waiting for the FAA and NTSB guy to show so you could chat before leaving the incident area. They will want to see all your paperwork and logs so make sure everything is in order and up to date.

Andymatthews · #5 03-08-2008, 03:25 PM

I am quickly getting the idea that the 4 is not the way to go. I had completely forgetten that there were no brakes in the back - clealry makes it a non-starter. Thanks for all the replies - this is an excellent forum.

pierre smith · #6 03-09-2008, 06:46 AM

....don't give up on the -4....you'll never know just what you're missing. Get some Citabria time and buy the -4...it's so much easier to handle. My buddy flew and landed his -4 from the back seat with me in the front and got some -6 tailwheel time with another friend. He's now soloing his -4 as a student pilot...with around 250 hours, mostly heavy ultralight time, including taildraggers.

Regards,

Andymatthews · #7 03-10-2008, 04:30 PM

I am reluctant to give up on the 4 as everything I read says other than being a less than optimal training platform it is the airplane for me so...one last question on this topic, anyone know if there are any RV-4's that have added brakes in the rear cockpit? Is there a mod kit for it?

BryanArd · #8 03-12-2008, 09:03 AM

I just went through the same problem. I was about 30% along on my -4 when my son tossed a monkey wrench into the works! He decided he wants to learn to fly, so I sold my -4 project and bought a -6. I am basically starting over. However, the time I lost on the tail and wings is being made up on the fuse (just sent spar carry-through bulkhead back to Van's and told them to build a quick-build fuse for me

).

smokyray · #9 03-14-2008, 04:25 PM

Guys,

I taught several licensed, tailwheel experienced buddies to fly their RV4's from the "pit". However comma, I wouldn't teach new students from the pit of a -4 as it wasn't designed for it. That's not to say it would be impossible, I just wouldn't recommend it. Get them soloed first in a Cessna 140 or Tcraft equivalent, then I might consider it.
I have given dual from the pit of the F16D, Decathlon, Husky and Scout with no problems but all had rear brakes, rudders and throttle.

BTW, I never carried Hull on my RV4 unless I was going to the Bahamas, just ground/taxi. In 12 years the savings bought alot of fuel...

Rob Ray
HR2
(there's no substitute)

PS: Pierre, I just got back from Clan William, South Africa visiting my buddy Johan and advising him on purchasing a Rocket down there, what a great country!Flew His T-6, Scout and Decathlon! Buyadonkey!

Dgamble · #10 03-17-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andymatthews

I am in the process of building a 7 but in the mantime I am looking at buying a 4 or 6 with a friend. I came across a couple of 4's for sale that meet my price range but my concern is that one of the goals I have is to teach my kids to fly (I was a CFII) in the aircraft and never having sat in the back seat of a 4 I don't know if it is really feasible to teach from the back seat.
Has anybody tried to do it? If so what challenges were there? Was it significantly harder than you expected? Any help gratefully received.

Is it all or nothing? I mean, couldn't you get them through a few solos in a rental trainer and then move to the -4 for the remainder? Even with that, though, I think the -6 is a better choice, and those too are a buyer's market these days.