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05-24-2010, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Twin Falls, ID
Posts: 683
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Hill
IMHO as an all round aeroplane, the TD beats the NW hands down
However, if your sole criteria is ability to handle X-winds, then by definition the NW will win on every occasion
Andy
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I would say the RVs are pretty evenly matched between the T/D and Tricycle with the T/D having a slight advantage. It is all pilot skill and the majority of pilots don't ever practice in a good stiff x-wind. Let's have a show of hands who have done touch and goes in a 25+kt crosswind on a regular basis. I would bet less than 5%. Practice is the name of the game. Don
__________________
RV 7 N212MD Flying as of 12/22/2007
Backcountry/TCOW Super Cub flying 03/12/2011
Next project?
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05-24-2010, 04:02 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: idaho
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike D
I have a nose wheel but would prefer a tail wheel for several reasons. These are just my opinions and for my specific situation.
- My wife is short and her feet can?t touch the floor due to the landing gear supports. I will have to build some sort of platform for her to rest her feet on without having it interfere with the rudder pedals.
- For some reason every time I drop a screw or something small, it rolls under the landing gear supports.
- If for some unknown reason I have a brake failure, I feel I have a slightly better chance of keeping it on the runway with a tail wheel. Under about 15knots, steering in the nose wheel is only done by breaking.
- When removing the cowling, I hate scraping my nose gear fairings. Not sure if there is a similar issue with the tail dragger.
- Although I am not too concerned about a NG collapse, I always have that feeling there could be a NG collapse somewhere in the back of my head, so I treat it a little different and land it like a tail wheel. But I do have some runway scrapes on the bottom side of the wheel pant. (but not sure if it was me or the previous owner)
- I don?t like the steps hanging out in the wind. But probably not that bad. But they do hurt when you hit them with your knee.

- It seems as though I could build a better heat shield and attach it to the engine/gear mount on a tail wheel. Better to direct the hot air out the bottom of the cowling and to shield the heat from the firewall mounted items.
As far as looking better, that depends on what type of look you are after. Sporty look = tail wheel. Luxury, cross country flyer = nose wheel. Just my opinion.
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I never use the brakes in either of my airplanes until I get to the hangar and spin them to line them up in front of the hangar, you must be doing something wrong.
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05-24-2010, 04:03 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mesquite, TX
Posts: 936
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I had the same thoughts on the NW vs TW... I was originally building a -A. Changed my mind the day I ordered the fuse!  You stated you were leaning towards a -A for IFR capabilities concerning X-winds... In all honesty, how "hard" of an IMC condition do you expect to fly in this single engine ametuer built airplane? Light IFR sure. Moderate, if I HAD to. Heavy? No way. And secondly... how strong of winds do you plan on flying in?? How often do you see a 30+kt x-wind? And how often would you fly in it? I wouldn't imagine it'd be very much fun in either gear configuration.
Other than that, TW's look so much better. Lower maintenance, easier to build, cheaper, lighter, etc. I'd say the answer is clear. But I know exactly where your coming from... Like I said, I was in the same situation just a few weeks ago! See here: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=57546
I'll be honest... I also flipped a coin.  Tails = TW!
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05-24-2010, 04:25 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 387
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Fly Both
Just my "2 Cents:"
Fly Both; then decide for yourself.
Good Luck!
Bill Palmer 
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05-24-2010, 04:49 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 2,053
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TCONROY
I think the -7 is sexier on the ramp
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I went with a TW for that very reason alone. I think the -A looks great also, but I just preferred a TW. I think I would have regretted going the other way based upon another factor.
__________________
Tony Phillips
N524AP, RV 9 (tail wheel)
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05-24-2010, 06:20 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 738
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This could go on forever........
I've had both. If I could have two, it would be one of each (-10 and a lightweight -4). Alas, that can't be and the RV-8heh was the best compromise for me.
What kind of flying do you dream of and what kind will you most likely do?
That should help your decision. They both fly equally as good. The only difference is the first and last 10 feet. The TD takes a little more finesse.
Keeping air in the nosewheel and checking the breakout force occasionally
is hardly a lot more maintenance. The thing I do miss about my -6 was backing it in the hangar by the tail and not having to crawl under the wing to air the tires. That's it!
__________________
Tom Prokop
Chino, CA
RV-8A,180/CS/Carb, AFS 4500 EFIS/EMS
RV-6, sold, 820 hrs of fun.
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05-24-2010, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danielhv
You stated you were leaning towards a -A for IFR capabilities concerning X-winds... In all honesty, how "hard" of an IMC condition do you expect to fly in this single engine ametuer built airplane? Light IFR sure. Moderate, if I HAD to. Heavy? No way.
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I fly my 7A all the way down to minimums. What does the make of plane have anything do do with IFR? But I have an WASS430, Trutrak EFIS SG AP4 with LPV and ILS. AND very good backups. No such thing as hard or soft IFR. Any IFR you venture into can turn into a approach down to minimums.
Any plane can fly IFR if equipped. Any pilot can fly IFR if trained. Geez....
__________________
Jeff Beckley
Des Moines Iowa
Van's RV-7A
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05-24-2010, 08:03 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Mendon South Carolina
Posts: 1,391
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nucleus
The report on RV noseovers found that noseover rates were the same between conventional and tricycle gear models. Hope that helps.
Hans
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N200PF
Really Hans... Can you post a link to "the report"? I haven't seen that yet?
- Peter
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We are waiting inquiring minds want to know???????????????????
__________________
Milt Concannon
Last edited by N395V : 05-24-2010 at 08:05 PM.
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05-24-2010, 08:07 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mesquite, TX
Posts: 936
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff beckley
I fly my 7A all the way down to minimums. What does the make of plane have anything do do with IFR? But I have an WASS430, Trutrak EFIS SG AP4 with LPV and ILS. AND very good backups. No such thing as hard or soft IFR. Any IFR you venture into can turn into a approach down to minimums.
Any plane can fly IFR if equipped. Any pilot can fly IFR if trained. Geez....
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I guess everyone has different "minimums". I'd never intentionally fly into IMC that required me to shoot an approach down to minimums. I try to plan as best as I can, and yes sometimes it may happen... but I personally wouldn't plan to do such intentionally.
Your aircraft sounds well equipped with many backups... EXCEPT a backup engine!  Of course there is some inherent risk to everything flying... and the risk rises statistically with IMC operations. I fly IFR often, but usually no less than an 800' ceiling so that when Murphy comes knockin, I have a way out. Just how I feel about it, not trying to start a war. Like I said, everyone has different "minimums". Geez...
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05-24-2010, 09:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Don't even think of building anything other than what you really want!
Nora and I once took a slow trip from 28A to 3BS with 40 to 50 knot head winds. When we got to 3BS the runway in use had the full X-wind. I thought, "Why not try it." Sure enough, not even an RV can do that much X-wind but these planes are so capable that I thought it would be worth a try.
BTW, they had a crossing runway so we were able to land into the wind.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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