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05-29-2012, 01:48 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 211
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Spinning an RV-10
I consider myself very lucky to still be alive. While conducting a 30-deg banked stall this weekend during Phase 1 testing on my RV-10, I accidentally entered into an aggravated stall, otherwise known as a spin. Having never actually done one before, it took me a bit of time to get out of it and recover. Upon reviewing the flight data from the EFIS, it says I lost over 3500' of altitude, hit 232 mph (that's VNE BTW), and saw 4.6 g's during the pull-up (short duration). Oil door got tweaked and came open, and the engine was pushed down enough for the AC compressor pulley to slice through the lower cowling (it was a tight fit).
Needless to say the whole thing scared the bejeezes out of me.
I say I'm luck to be alive because I HAD been using something like 3000 ft AGL previously for my stall testing, and only because of some rough air had I climbed up to much higher this time.
No permanent damage except to my ego really (still need to inspect the plane a bit more to be sure). No worries, I will continue forward, with some modifications to my remaining test planning.
So, Phase 1 lessons here: Get upset training and/or get current on your stalls (I was rusty, I admit), do stalls in very calm air (think it was a contributing factor), and get lots of altitude for stall testing.
Whew.
Dwight
__________________
RV-10 #40762 - 100 hrs+
Denver, CO
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05-29-2012, 02:00 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Nevada --- A34
Posts: 1,464
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I'm VERY glad you and the plane are (mostly) alright and able to share the events. Sounds like good "Lessons Learned". I would add gettting spin training and proficiency before considering doing Phase 1 work....especially stall testing.
__________________
Louise Hose, Editor of The Homebuilder's Portal by KITPLANES
RV3B, NX13PL "Tsamsiyu" co-builder, TMXIO-320, test platform Legacy G3X/TruTrak avionics suite
RV-6 ?Mikey? (purchased flying) ? Garmin test platform (G3X Touch, GS28 autopilot servos, GTN650 GPS/Nav/Comm,
GNC255 Nav/Com, GA240 audio panel)
RV8, N188PD "Valkyrie" (by marriage)
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05-29-2012, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 590
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Wow, glad to see you are writing this post.
I am going through spin training right now and just had my first lesson monday. It was nothing short of amazing...and a real eye opener. If I were in charge, all pilots would have mandatory spin training. I would not want to do what you did without training...good for you for keeping yourself in the game and recovering.
__________________
Ron Duren
Mechanical Engineer
"SportAir PhD"-RV Assembly/Composites/Electrical
Denver, CO (KBJC)
RV-7 'Tip Up'
Flying!! as of 3/16/14
IO-375/ WW 200G-CS/ SkyView/ Dual P-mags
N531R "Wablosa" Wings of Red
http://www.ronsrv7project.blogspot.com
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05-29-2012, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 988
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Basic stall training is too timid...
I believe that there is not enough stall / spin training... Too often a stall is approached so timidly that there is little if any benefit to it and it might contribute to a false sense of security about how easily a turning stall develops into a spin.
Here is a video I made a while ago when practicing fully developed turning stalls. In the video I am nursing a coordinated turn at minimum controllable airspeed while holding altitude and very slowly adding bank until the stall breaks...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpX4bwbFMdE&sns=em
__________________
Stephen
RV7 powered by a lycoming thunderbolt IO-390
turning a whirlwind HRT prop
with more hours flying than building... 2,430 on the hobbs!
ORCA Flight
Race 771
margarita!
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05-29-2012, 02:17 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 1,166
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In the there but the grace of god go I column could you give us a little more info on what you think happened and specifics on the stall? Airspeed, AOB, skid/slip ect..?
George
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05-29-2012, 02:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 976
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Out of interest, from your EFIS data, where was the slip ball just prior to, at, and after the stall entry => spin? And also the relative CG position to Aft limit?
I know nothing about the RV-10, but the rest of the series tend to be (very) reluctant to spin... Not sure what Vans had to say about spin testing they did on the 10?
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05-29-2012, 02:27 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Saint Simons Island , GA
Posts: 1,523
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Maybe a Spiral
In most aircraft if you are actually in a spin you would not see high airspeeds like that unless you did delay the recovery a long time after the wing was flying again by not pulling out of the ensuing dive. You could have entered an accelerated stall by exceeding the angle of attack and maybe the nose got low, but still doesn't sound like a spin.
This is however a classic argument for every pilot to complete spin/upset recovery training. Just being able to recognize the unusual attitude and safely recover is extremely important.
Glad your event came out well and keep learning and enjoying your new plane.
__________________
Jerry "Widget" Morris
RV 8, N8JL, 3,000+ hours on my 8.
VAF #818
Saint Simons Island, GA. KSSI
PIF 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
 I just wish I could afford to live the way I do
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05-29-2012, 02:37 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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Get back on the horse. It is really important that you not let this experience sit in your mind. Get back in the air and get that spin training sooner than later.
My first ride with a CFI in a 152, first day of flight school, my instructor accidently entered a spin during his stall demonstration. I was petrified.
I thought airplanes where unstable and at any moment if not perfectly flown they would fall out of control. My shear will and determination to be a pilot kept me going.
It took another CFI and lots of hours of training before i felt the least bit comfortable doing any kind of a stall.
Great learning experience and glad you are ok.
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Smart People do Stupid things all the time. I know, I've seen me do'em.
RV6 - Builder/Flying
Bucker Jungmann
Fiat G.46 -(restoration in progress, if I have enough life left in me)
RV1 - Proud Pilot.
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05-29-2012, 02:52 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,516
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Spinning RV-10?
Dwight, I'm glad you are ok.
Along the lines of spin testing the RV-10, I have not been able to find any references as to the characteristics of spins and recovery in the RV-10.
I am not into aerobatics but stalls, spins and recovery have always been part of my training in most airplanes. (Maybe not most but those that are approved)
Does anyone know what Van has to say about spinning the RV-10?
__________________
Ernst Freitag
RV-8 finished (sold)
RV-10 Flyer 600 plus hours
Running on E10 mogas
Don't believe everything you know.
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05-29-2012, 03:55 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
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Vans does not approve spins in the RV-10. RV10's g limit is 3.8, same as "normal" category certified aircraft. Generally, in certified aircraft, spins are forbidden unless the aircraft can be flown as utility or aerobatic.
I read on the Vans site that they fitted the test plane with a spin chute and did spins. They didn't need the chute.
============
There is currently a thread in another VAF forum about how inconvenient and expensive transition training is.
Folks, it's only money! Please do not kill yourself trying to save a few thousand dollars on training. You've already invested way over a hundred thousand dollars. Spend a little more on yourself. Or hire a test pilot. Frankly, if you have never done a spin recovery, or are "... a little rusty on stalls..." you have no business trying to be a test pilot. Harsh words, but someone is going to kill themselves here. The -10 has a powerful rudder and is, IMHO, nearly impossible to accidently spin (spin entry, yes, but not a 3000' altitude loss spin) unless the pilot has feet of clay or has not been conditioned to make the proper (and conventional) control responses.
This is a serious business. Please be honest with yourself about your capabilities and if they're lacking, get some help.
Bob
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