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  #21  
Old 04-05-2012, 09:59 AM
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Capflyer Capflyer is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Default

Russ, good call on the trailing edge. I am actually building new elevators for just this reason. The original builder pinched them too much. I asked Van's about it a few months ago and they immediately indicated that was the likely culprit which I hadn't thought of prior. I flew my buddies RV4 that had a larger radius trailing edge and the elevators were significantly lighter in pitch.
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  #22  
Old 04-05-2012, 12:52 PM
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smokyray smokyray is offline
 
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Location: TX32
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Default Weight a minute...

Pat,

Several 0-320 wood prop RV4 landings over 20 years taught me a couple of things:

1. If pax over 150 Lbs, make sure you have full fuel, makes a difference.
2. I always wheels-land 5 knots fast 70KIAS (runway length available)
3. Have a weight cutoff you won't exceed, I used 200 lbs max weight aft of the roll bar.
Practice makes perfect.

V/R
Smokey

PS: More aft CG=Lighter stick force per G. Basically you will over control in pitch if you're not used to it, as you found out. The HR2 solved this problem by bolting an IO-540 out front, 300 pounders in back didn't phase it. Note: I recommend taking girls vs guys for rides, more fun, lighter and cuter

Last edited by smokyray : 04-05-2012 at 01:04 PM.
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  #23  
Old 04-05-2012, 12:53 PM
fixnflyguy fixnflyguy is offline
 
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Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
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Default -4 passenger observations

I have been flying my-4 a little over a year (120hrs.), and first passenger ride was at 40.1 hrs on hobbs. I almost always have a passenger these days, as folks love flying in the -4. I did 2 tests with "weights" in back, simply using gym weights in a heavy duffel, secured by the harness. First was with approx 75 lbs, 2nd with 150 lbs. To date, heaviest passenger has been 220, and I had half tanks of fuel. The weight tests simply show the pitch force difference, and one must expect a lot of forward stick to get the tail up on T/O roll. The most noticable safety factor is the very light pitch control in an aft CG configuration...very easy to over control flare or zoomy manouvers. I like to 3 point with pax, as it seems to settle in nice and I like slower on my less than perfect runway. I do have the long gear, and all 3 touch about the same time. I do hold an extra 5 knots in the pattern .
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  #24  
Old 04-05-2012, 04:18 PM
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Russ McCutcheon Russ McCutcheon is offline
 
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Location: Vancouver, WA USA
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Default Looks like Pat Long has sold his RV-4

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...660#post268660

Still a good discussion though.


Also my Dad was mentioning something I also do and learned way back as we probably all learned during our primary flight instruction, that is to park at the end of the runway or parallel taxi way and observe the picture down the runway over the nose, then during landing hold that picture tell it touches and if you did it right all three will touch at the same time. I think this is the most accepted method for landing any airplane and using it we all should be able to 3 point an RV-4 on command with a little practice.

For a nose dragger you would just hold the nose even or just above the opposite end of the runway but this thread is about tail draggers.
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  #25  
Old 04-05-2012, 06:26 PM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
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Default sand

60-lb sacks of sand are less messy than concrete. I put them in Hefty trash bags to prevent spilling sand in the airplane. I tested with one, two, and three bags of sand, Then I put a case of oil in the rear baggage and repeated.
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  #26  
Old 04-05-2012, 08:35 PM
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cdmiller cdmiller is offline
 
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Location: Battle Ground, Washington
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Default Wood pellets for ballast

I used 40 pound bags of wood pellets for CG testing in my RV-8. I put each bag in a plastic garbage bag to contain dust and stacked them on the rear seat floor and secured them with the seatbelts. Worked well.

Dan Miller
RV-8 1100 hours
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  #27  
Old 04-06-2012, 05:34 AM
Seabird Seabird is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lakeville, MA
Posts: 17
Cool rear seat passenger

Hi,
I am learning to fly an -8 and struggling with the same issues. I'm using the the gradual method. Have added weight to the rear baggage compartment, and the passenger seat, but would like to build up to taking a large rear passenger, 210 lbs (my husband). Keep me posted on your progress.
Barbara
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  #28  
Old 04-06-2012, 09:48 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
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Location: Louisville, Ga
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Default Funny

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seabird View Post
....... would like to build up to taking a large rear passenger, 210 lbs (my husband). Keep me posted on your progress.
Barbara
This has to be a first! A lady wanting to give her hubby a ride in the back seat! LOL.

Great,
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