N8RV flies! - Page 7

Randy Erwin · #61 06-12-2010, 02:52 PM

Don, I have just purchased a beautiful RV-8 built in Grants Pass by Jeff Tompkins. I am going through some of the same anxiety that you have written about with regard to my first flight in N9301T. I am going to need to get some training from a CFI for my tail wheel endorsement, and then a total of 20 hrs of dual in my RV before I can take it out solo - or with a passenger. It's turning out to be quite a challenge, as the -8 is not the best plane for use as a trainer. I am confident though, that I will get over those jitters like you did, and rediscover why I have always been a frustrated fighter pilot!

Your 13 year project, and your eloquence in writing about it, have been an inspiration to me! I am especially impressed with your HOTAS set up. Is that a Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS in the cockpit? How did you manage that?!

N8RV · #62 06-14-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Erwin

Don, I have just purchased a beautiful RV-8 built in Grants Pass by Jeff Tompkins. I am going through some of the same anxiety that you have written about with regard to my first flight in N9301T. I am going to need to get some training from a CFI for my tail wheel endorsement, and then a total of 20 hrs of dual in my RV before I can take it out solo - or with a passenger. It's turning out to be quite a challenge, as the -8 is not the best plane for use as a trainer. I am confident though, that I will get over those jitters like you did, and rediscover why I have always been a frustrated fighter pilot!

Your 13 year project, and your eloquence in writing about it, have been an inspiration to me! I am especially impressed with your HOTAS set up. Is that a Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS in the cockpit? How did you manage that?!

Randy, I hadn't flown in over 10 years and, after 4 hours in a C-140, was signed off to fly Smokey. As you evidently already read, it wasn't without fear and trepidation. However, I just ticked over 76 hours yesterday before the weather turned threatening again.

There was a scattered layer at about 3,000', and clear above. As I climbed above the cloud canyons, I spied another aircraft zipping along the cloud tops heading away from me.

I switched to guns and peeled off in a shallow dive. I could tell that I was overtaking the bogey, but really wasn't interested in getting trapped on top as the weather worsened. I switched to missles, let fly a Sidewinder and broke off the pursuit. Splash one.

After a couple of rolls, I headed back to the aerodrome. Enroute, however, I spied another bogey -- a BLIMP! So, I throttled back, began a gentle turn toward the blimp and set up on a parallel course about 1,000 feet away. I decided to allow the blimp to live to fight another day, and with a wing wave, pushed into 'burner and headed back to the airport.

I can honestly say that I haven't really scared myself or pranged the plane in those hours. I might have reached this level of relative comfort had I spent more time in RV-specific training, but I'll never know. I'm just cheap enough -- and/or stupid enough -- to learn the basics and go with them.

BTW, I completed my multi-function display (MFD) overlays over the weekend. All that leaves is the ICP to mount over the 396 and the ACES II ...

Regarding the stick grip and throttle, they're F-16 stock. I know that many simpit guys use the Cougar setup, but these are real -- and feel real good in my hands, BTW.

Get the training you need to be comfortable and enjoy your new plane! But watch your six ... I'm out there ...

N8RV · #63 07-20-2010, 02:19 PM

I added a little modification for static display only -- an integrated control panel (ICP). Here's an ICP in an F-16 ...

... and in Smokey ...

[sorry for the crummy picture -- only had my phone with me]

pierre smith · #64 07-21-2010, 05:05 AM

...on the throttle

Pretty,

chinch · #65 07-21-2010, 07:24 PM

Hey Don, I'm sure these people will sell you one...

http://www.esterline.com/Portals/17/...parrowhawk.pdf

Then we only have to figure out how to make it show your iPod playlist....

chinch · #66 07-22-2010, 06:57 PM

...but how does one come by a surplus HUD and HOTAS from a -16?

N8RV · #67 07-22-2010, 08:45 PM

Heheh ... eBay, www.viperpits.org and the aviation departments of Lowe's and Harbor Freight.

smokyray · #68 08-09-2010, 08:22 PM

Hi Don,

Enjoyed the photos, having seen that UFC (up front control) a couple of times in it's original mounting configuration, it' still inspires a grin. The Viper is 70's technology But I haven't seen an EFIS yet that I like better than the good old HUD, especially at night or on NVG's.

Back in November of 1989 I actually had an adventure earning me the moniker you placed on your RV8. Thanks.

Smokey
HR2

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

N8RV · #69 08-10-2010, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokyray

Hi Don,

Enjoyed the photos, having seen that UFC (up front control) a couple of times in it's original mounting configuration, it' still inspires a grin. The Viper is 70's technology But I haven't seen an EFIS yet that I like better than the good old HUD, especially at night or on NVG's.

Back in November of 1989 I actually had an adventure earning me the moniker you placed on your RV8. Thanks.

Smokey
HR2

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

OK, I gotta know ... WHAT HAPPENED??

If you don't want to post the story, at least PM me (but I'd bet everyone here would love to hear what happened to that Viper!)

smokyray · #70 08-10-2010, 02:02 PM

Don,

OK, here's the short version:
Phillipines, 1989. Large force employment (30 jets, 12 F-15's, 12 F-16's, 2 RF-4's, 2 MC-130's, 1 AWACS, 1 tanker) vs Nimitz battle group with Hornets, F-14's, etc. My mission callsign that day was Fang Two.
The plan was a simulated attack utilizing a "High Pop" (60 degree climb from 500' AGL to a pull down at 11.5 for a 45 degree dive bomb delivery). Pop-up required full afterburner to complete. Low-level ingress at 480 Knots, IP-target 540 Knots. All went well until I lit the afterburner during the pop. Ka-Boom! Instant Christmas lights at the White House lawn in the cockpit. At the same moment someone on the ground was yelling on the guard frequency "Fang Two, You smokey". For a millisecond I thought to myself: Some dudes on fire, Wait, that's me

With my flight lead "Brutus" rejoining on me, I had great SA (situational awareness) on the damage and to confirm my wheels made it down. Thankfully I also had a 9000' runway nearby and amazingly after fumbling through the Engine/Failure/Fire/Flameout landing procedures correctly and with the good Lords assistance I somehow fenagled a successful flame-out landing with 1 hydraulic system and the rudder and speedbrakes gone.
Ironically, I parked less than 50 feet from my intended target! Of course after getting back home to Japan, the naming committee had my new handle firmly set in stone. You smokey!

Hopefully that wasn't too long...
RR aka...well you know!

Epiloge: Our F-16's were the latest version at that time, the Block 30 with GE F110 engine. The engine had an anomaly (no kidding that caused the afterburner to burn through the engine shroud (and the rest of the fuselage, rudder and tail). The fleet was grounded for 2 weeks as a result but thanks to having my engine to study, they fixed the problem. The aircraft 557 is still flying with the Atlantic City NJANG.