VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 05-12-2011, 09:28 PM
Sunriver Ken's Avatar
Sunriver Ken Sunriver Ken is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sunriver, Oregon/Surprise, Arizona
Posts: 128
Default Turbulence and My 9A

I just completed a flight from East coast to West coast. At least 60% of the flight segments were in light to moderate (per pireps and weather briefs) turbulence. Even with my Oregon Aero seat I have to say this is the most uncomforable trip I have taken in a light GA plane. I can understand why the Bonanza I used to fly was better in turbulance (better to me means less fluctuation in aircraft attitude and bouncing) but the 9 also seems worse than my experiences in the Tiger, Cheetah, C-172 and Cherokee 180 have have previously owned and flown.

Is the light wing loading of the RV9 the reason for this?

And yes, you do need to keep those sea belts tight or Bose headset will hit the canopy.
__________________
Fly safe,
Ken Day
Independence, OR
RV-9A O-360/CS - SOLD
RV-12 SOLD
AA1C 150HP - FLYING
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-12-2011, 09:35 PM
L.Adamson's Avatar
L.Adamson L.Adamson is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: KSLC
Posts: 4,021
Default

When someone once said, that the 9 would be smoother in turbulent air...........than my 6, they were wrong! If I was blindfolded, without prior knowledge of the aircraft, I wouldn't be able to tell the smoother ride between the two. I guess it's because they're lighter, more agile, and usually faster! But fear not, there are those unusually smooth days, like today..

L.Adamson --- RV6A
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-12-2011, 09:51 PM
n5lp's Avatar
n5lp n5lp is offline
fugio ergo sum
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Carlsbad, NM
Posts: 1,912
Default

Low wing loading combined with high speed is a pretty good formula for a rough ride. I don't see any way around it but to slow way down; maybe to the speed of that C172.

My RV-6 rides rough in bad turbulence. I accept that as a fact of physics.
__________________
Larry Pardue
Carlsbad, NM

RV-6 N441LP Flying
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-13-2011, 04:49 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Thumbs up Get a -10

My -6A nearly beat me to death after a cold front had passed! Had to slow it way down but the -10, with its greater mass rides much better in turbulence,

Best,
__________________
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,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-13-2011, 05:12 AM
apkp777's Avatar
apkp777 apkp777 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 2,053
Default

Yep, yep and yep. My -9 feels like the washing machine with the brick in it trick (I thought for sure that was my wife trying to get a new machine).

It's nice to have a "G" meter now. I have seen it go up as high as 2.5gs in turbulence. I suppose the best we can do is load it to gross on trips where the ride is supposed to be rough. Still it's pretty bad.
__________________
Tony Phillips
N524AP, RV 9 (tail wheel)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-13-2011, 07:07 AM
Walt's Avatar
Walt Walt is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 5,687
Default

I normally run around with half fuel or less, when it's really windy/gusty I fill the tanks, it helps quite a bit to soften the ride.
__________________
Walt Aronow, DFW, TX (52F)

EXP Aircraft Services LLC
Specializing in RV Condition Inspections, Maintenance, Avionics Upgrades
Dynamic Prop Balancing, Pitot-Static Altmeter/Transponder Certification
FAA Certified Repair Station, AP/IA/FCC GROL, EAA Technical Counselor
Authorized Garmin G3X Dealer/Installer
RV7A built 2004, 1700+ hrs, New Titan IO-370, Bendix Mags
Website: ExpAircraft.com, Email: walt@expaircraft.com, Cell: 972-746-5154
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-13-2011, 07:10 AM
bignose bignose is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Sao Paulo, Brasil
Posts: 72
Default Just like a butterfly

If you ever observed a butterfly glide from one flower to another on a hot and windy summer afternoon, you'll understand wat's going on.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-13-2011, 12:23 PM
videobobk's Avatar
videobobk videobobk is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Near Scipio, in Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,779
Default

My 9A (at least to me) feels totally different above or below 130 knots. Above, turbulence feels sharp and sometimes almost stinging. Below, it rides about like a Cherokee. I am seldom in so big a hurry that I can't slow down on a bumpy day, especially down low. Fuel load does make a difference, but I can't change that as easily as I can the speed.

As to hitting my head (I'm 6' 4",) I switched to Halo's and don't have near as much trouble. They really help. Also, keep the belt tight!

Bob
__________________
Bob Kelly, Scipio, Indiana
Tech Counselor
Founder, Eagle's Nest Projects
President, AviationNation, Inc
RV-9A N908BL, Flying

Last edited by videobobk : 05-13-2011 at 12:26 PM. Reason: added 2nd paragraph
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-13-2011, 01:17 PM
Sunriver Ken's Avatar
Sunriver Ken Sunriver Ken is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sunriver, Oregon/Surprise, Arizona
Posts: 128
Default

Bob,

Do you mean 130 KIAS or 130 KTAS? Big difference at 10,000+ altitude.
__________________
Fly safe,
Ken Day
Independence, OR
RV-9A O-360/CS - SOLD
RV-12 SOLD
AA1C 150HP - FLYING
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-14-2011, 11:08 PM
agirard7a's Avatar
agirard7a agirard7a is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 705
Default Wing tip tanks?

Would full wing tip tanks help?
__________________
Al Girard, Newport, RI
N339AG
RV-9
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:51 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.