Question for RV-8 Drivers

[Andy Hill]

I've ~400hrs / 800 landings in RV-8s, and when I started had about 3hrs TW time. I now also fly E300L / One Design, and did the TW conversion on a Cub. The RV is by far the easiest to land.

Whilst CG does make the RV-8 charateristics differ, I have never considered it a factor in directional control... it is all in pitch control, and if you are aiming for 3 pointers, easier with someone in the back. Wheelers easier solo.

Go through the NTSB accident database and search for RV-8 (and RV8). The ground loop accidents seem to usually cite weather, often "sudden large gust".

I am clearly biased, but I doubt the RV-8 is any harder to land than the 6/7, and maybe the better visibility in the 8 actually makes it a little easier?

Andy
RV-8 G-HILZ

[ronschreck]

Hi George,

Enjoyed talking with you yesterday. Thought I would add my opinion on the issue. I don't find directional control of the 8 to be any more difficult with a passenger in back. As many have stated, pitch sensitivity is increased, but this is easily controlled. I travel with a rough crowd (Team RV) and find that avoiding the "sissy wheel" jabs is just one of the benefits of flying a tailwheel.

[tinman]

I snuck up on the aft cg while in phase 1 testing by using sand bags. What I learned is that it is easy to sneak up on the aft cg, but if you go from flying solo to adding a biscuit boy in the back seat, you had better be prepared to adapt.
I ended up carrying a few extra knots into the flare and all was fine. There were no directional control issues unless I let the plane swerve on rollout at which point the plane required a more aggressive correction to stay on center line. (Polar Moment???)
The -8 is a kitten as far as taildraggers go...in my opinion, it is easier to land than a Cub.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Alan Carroll

I've not had the sort of problem Paul describes and find it easy to 3-point with a passenger. Could be related to different aircraft CGs? (mine is right at the forward limit when solo).

My opinion is yes - as was mentioned earlier in this threadby someone else with the angle-valve engine, if you are at the forward CG when solo, then you won't be anywhere near as far aft with a passenger.

Originally Posted by taflores

A guy in an RV-4 lost control of his while landing a couple weeks ago, he had a female passenger in the back, not sure what happened. He ran off the runway and ended up in a ditch upside down, as far as I know nothing broke on the plane, he just plain lost rudder control, don't know if his feet were asleep or due to a passenger in the back, who knows. Both were not hurt, but the fire dept. had to cut them out of the plane.

Not really relevent to this discussion in my opinion, since -4's and -8's are totally different airframes....and the OP is asking about -8's.

[N8RV]

Originally Posted by sailvi767

In my quest to find he right RV to purchase I am looking at a RV-8. Initially I was looking at 7's and 6's. A person who's opinion I respect suggested that the RV-8 is not a good choice for a first time taildragger pilot and can be handful with a person in the back seat. He stated its fine solo but not that good dual. This seems to be backed up a bit by the fact that I just became aware of two RV-8 damaged on landing in loss of control incidents. In both cases they had a large person in the back seat. Any comments or thoughts on this? With proper training would a RV-8 be fine for a high time pilot with no taildragger time and a low time new pilot also with no taildragger time. This assumes good judgement and picking nice days while initially building time.

Thanks!
George

George, I'll throw in my two cents. When I made my maiden flight in Smokey, I had around 600 hours TT, the last flight nearly 11 years prior, and most in a Grumman Yankee. I got my medical out of the way, got my BFR and tailwheel endorsement in 4 hours of dual in a Cessna 140, then sat in the RV going over systems while making engine noises and getting comfortable.

I've written about my personal demons with the first few flights, but as much as I wanted to fear the little wheel in the back, it's just never been an issue. I now have 125 hours and a bunch of landings and it's never scared me.

So, if the RV-8 isn't the PERFECT first tailwheel plane to fly, I don't know what is -- quick, responsive, forgiving and plenty of power. Don't let it scare you.

[bkthomps]

why do people say drivers? is this some military thing?

[Toobuilder]

Originally Posted by sailvi767

...With proper training would a RV-8 be fine for a high time pilot with no taildragger time and a low time new pilot also with no taildragger time...

Among taildraggers, the RV-8 is a piece of cake. That said, there are some who are going to have trouble flying ANY tailwheel airplane. I'd say if you can earn a T/W endorsement, the -8 will not present you with any difficulty.

[chinch]

Originally Posted by N8RV

So, if the RV-8 isn't the PERFECT first tailwheel plane to fly, I don't know what is -- quick, responsive, forgiving and plenty of power. Don't let it scare you.

Don, that post just made my week, if not my year. Thanks.

[Neal@F14]

why do people say drivers? is this some military thing?

I've always heard it in connection whether the aircraft has a stick or a yoke.

If it has a yoke, you "drive" it.
If it has a stick, you "fly" it.