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  #1  
Old 12-08-2010, 08:47 PM
flyty flyty is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: O'Neill, NE KONL
Posts: 4
Default Steps for RV-7A

Hi everyone,

I'm building an RV7A Slider and I was wondering if the external steps are a necessity for jumping up onto the wing and into the canopy. I am familiar with an RV10, which I would say they are definitely needed - however, I am fairly young and am able to make it up without using them. How big of a step would it be without the steps in place on an RV7A? Any experience is most welcome. Thanks
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  #2  
Old 12-08-2010, 08:54 PM
Daver Daver is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 297
Default steps for the A models

I installed the steps (both sides) on my -9A fuselage.

Glad I did. Its a big step up to the wing.

I think the -7A & -9A are similar heights.

Maybe if you are young and have long legs....

I'm old with short legs....

Dave
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  #3  
Old 12-08-2010, 08:57 PM
Mark Burns's Avatar
Mark Burns Mark Burns is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ruston, Louisiana
Posts: 879
Default Go ahead and install the steps

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyty View Post
Hi everyone,

I'm building an RV7A Slider and I was wondering if the external steps are a necessity for jumping up onto the wing and into the canopy. I am familiar with an RV10, which I would say they are definitely needed - however, I am fairly young and am able to make it up without using them. How big of a step would it be without the steps in place on an RV7A? Any experience is most welcome. Thanks
I think you need them. You can get up there without them but it's a stretch.
And if you plan to give people rides you'll really need them in my opinion.

Mark
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Ruston, Louisiana
RV-7A N781CM 1,650+ hrs
FFI FL-24
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  #4  
Old 12-08-2010, 09:37 PM
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tommylewis tommylewis is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 769
Default install the steps

I took a yardstick out to the hangar and measured a 29 inch step up to the wing on my RV7a. You young long legged fellows might be able to take that step, but not us old short legged old f#$ts.
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RV7a N967BT 1900 hrs.
RV10 N143EB 960 hrs.
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  #5  
Old 12-08-2010, 09:47 PM
flyty flyty is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: O'Neill, NE KONL
Posts: 4
Default

Thanks for the measurement! Sounds like I better put some steps on - if I want to have passengers!
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  #6  
Old 12-09-2010, 11:25 AM
thomaswimmer thomaswimmer is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vienna
Posts: 47
Default Taildragger?

What about a straight -7/-9?

Are steps necessary (or helpful) in a taildragger?


Thomas
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  #7  
Old 12-09-2010, 11:45 AM
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rv7boy rv7boy is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Austinville, Alabama
Posts: 2,458
Default RV-7/9 Steps

They are not considered necessary on a taildragger 7 or 9, but if a builder decides to add them , they can be added during construction. However, if one decides to add them after the fuselage is complete, it's a difficult but not impossible task.

Most folks who build the non-A 7/9's don't install the step(s).

To answer your questions...necessary? no
........................................helpful? yes, but only if you and or your passengers have difficulties raising their legs.

My -7 (I'm not to the fuselage yet) will NOT have steps.

Hope this helps.
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Don Hull
RV-7 Wings
KDCU Pryor Field
Pilots'n Paws Pilot
N79599/ADS-B In and Out...and I like it!

?Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights;
it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." Miriam Beard
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  #8  
Old 12-09-2010, 12:11 PM
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sbarger24 sbarger24 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Grand Island, NE
Posts: 192
Default RV-7A

I don't have them on my RV-7A, and it hasn't been a big issue. If I was to do it over again I would have added them. Probably in 20 years when my "mono ab" is larger, and my joints are worn it will be a nessity
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Steve Barger
RV-7A slider
Aerosport Power O-360
My RV was born in Reno, but now lives in Grand Island Nebraska
Phase I completed, enjoying Phase II
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  #9  
Old 12-09-2010, 02:42 PM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default And for those occasional times....

...when you have a 5' lady in a skirt? Her modesty goes out the window.

You won't even notice the teensy airspeed hit either.

Best,
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Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
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Dues gladly paid!
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  #10  
Old 12-09-2010, 04:22 PM
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Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
Default

I agree with Pierre, even beyond the tiny lady. Any passenger who is not a builder or pilot is likely to step on the flap when trying to get up onto that wing. If only to save your flap, I suggest you install a step for the one time (which, of course, you will not know at the time) when a passenger would have stepped on your flap and made a mess.

greg
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RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
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