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  #1  
Old 11-26-2011, 03:55 PM
jh7850jh jh7850jh is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 15
Default 12 on grass strip??

Am interested in the RV12 for a grass strip. My r/w is 1600', pretty rough.
I understand the 12 is a floater, and wonder how feasible it is for this strip.
Also wonder about the nose gear strength on fairly rough strip???

What experience/advice?

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 11-26-2011, 04:14 PM
Bill_H's Avatar
Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
Default

See this thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=71948
My strip will be 1260 feet. I've had a few hours instruction in a 12 and am confident it will not be a problem, although I will get a lot of practice first.
There was another thread recently about a nose gear strengthener that is used for other RVs and might get adapted for the -12. It is here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=78263
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  #3  
Old 11-26-2011, 04:28 PM
mcems mcems is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Salem SD
Posts: 163
Default

I have 1400 Ft(unobstructed) 11/29 grass strip on the farm where I hangar my 12. I have been operating off since Sept 2009 (300 hours) I had 1000ft when I started flying the 12 and then added 400 for those less then perfect days.

1600 is plenty . As far as being rough I am not sure how rough you are talking but its best to rent a good heavy roller and roll it when conditons are right.

The big cropland rollers they use around here work perfect. Mine is pretty smooth and I keep it mower down about like a golf course.

I had concerns when I built mine about operating off grass . I sure dont anymore .

I did not install wheel pants and dont intend to.


Brad Stiefvater
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  #4  
Old 11-26-2011, 04:31 PM
Threetracker Threetracker is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Jefferson, Oregon
Posts: 86
Default It's fine on turf...

Carrie and I have 500 hours on our twelve with over 200 landings; but only 25 or so have been on turf. Both of our first landings with an RV-12 were on turf during our transition training with Mike Seager. It's true that the RV-12 will float if you don't get it slowed down; but it handles turf just fine. It would be my choice not to use wheel pants on turf. The nose wheel is the same size as the mains and the nose gear is substantial...no problem at all on grass. I think you'll be very pleased with an RV-12 on grass.

Jay and Carrie Sluiter
N124CS
Albany, OR (S12)
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  #5  
Old 11-26-2011, 05:37 PM
jh7850jh jh7850jh is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 15
Default

Thanks--I appreciate the responses.
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  #6  
Old 11-28-2011, 10:45 AM
dick seiders dick seiders is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 905
Default

I have made only two landings on turf with the 12. Didn't like either. In the 6A I flew prior to the 12 made many more. Didn't like them either. From my experience there is no such thing as a smooth grass strip. I know Van has designed the RV's with turf in mind, but it is my conclusion that the airplane takes a beating up of components that if it can be avoided should be. Never had a problem with length as most are 2500' or so at min. Shorter is ok on any reasonable length strip if one sets up the AOA provided in the Dynon 180. Just my opinion folks.
Dick Seiders
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  #7  
Old 11-30-2011, 05:46 PM
jte65 jte65 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Avon, Indiana
Posts: 341
Default Grass landings

I have now operated off two different grass strips and had no problems whatsoever. And I have wheel pants on my RV-12.

Now, having said this, both are very high quality strips that are well maintained, quite smooth and long (3000+ft). I also did the majority of my flight training off grass strips which helps (all in a Cessna 150/172).

I would agree that the RV-12 is not a plane I would want to take into a rough strip with long grass. However, it is very capable on decent strips. I found it much better from a performance perspective than a 150 and on par with my 172. Key is technique- keep the weight off the nose wheel as much as possible and on the takeoff roll, get the nose wheel off the turf as quickly as possible.

As an aside- the RV-12 does not float any worse than a 172 if the final approach speed is as recommended. The only times I have had problems with floating is when I have been too fast. In fact, I find it floats less than my 172 did.

Jeff
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1972 Cessna 172L/180hp (sold)
RV-12 (120041)/N719WE (flying)

http://www.mykitlog.com/jemmick
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  #8  
Old 12-01-2011, 06:36 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Not

Quote:
Originally Posted by jh7850jh View Post
.....I understand the 12 is a floater, and wonder how feasible it is for this strip.
What experience/advice?

Thanks.
All RV's will float if you're too fast. It's the pilot's fault, not the airplane's.
Keep slowing your approaches down until there's just a little float during the flare, especially going into shortish strips.

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,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
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  #9  
Old 01-17-2012, 03:32 PM
jstamper jstamper is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 9
Default Muddy Grass Strip

Here at Barton we operate from a bumpy grass strip. It gets muddy in wet weather. And we get a lot of that!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IERK-...=youtube_gdata

John.
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  #10  
Old 01-18-2012, 04:54 AM
todehnal todehnal is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kentucky Lakes area in KY
Posts: 947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstamper View Post
Here at Barton we operate from a bumpy grass strip. It gets muddy in wet weather. And we get a lot of that!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IERK-...=youtube_gdata

John.
Hey John, that has to be one of the worst grass strip in the USA!! That thing would give a lot of tail draggers some cause for concern. What a confidence builder for us 12 drivers.

Thanks, Tom
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2013- RV12, Kit #119. N123M First flight Nov21. It's a keeper!
1998- RV-9 tail kit, built and sold
1989- RV-6 tail kit, built and sold
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