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  #1  
Old 11-30-2012, 07:53 AM
teamzipper teamzipper is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: MO
Posts: 16
Default RV-6 rudder pedal mod

If I buy an RV6 with the floor mounted old style rudder pedals, is it much of a giant problem to convert over to the new hanging style? I am an A&P if that helps your answer. Regarding the pedal design, is there some overriding wonderful benefit to the new style.
I have already learned, I hope correctly, that conversion to electric flaps and electric trim are no big deals. If someone disagrees, speak up. THANKS!
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  #2  
Old 11-30-2012, 11:00 AM
Steve Barnes Steve Barnes is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 580
Default Broken tube

A friend of mine had his very early floor mounted break in flight at one of the welded junctions. Fortunately he had a pilot with "a little tail wheel experience" in the right seat. It ended good. I think your floor mounted are fine, but make sure the tubes have the proper gussets. If not have some welded on.

Steve "the builders coach"
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  #3  
Old 11-30-2012, 11:48 AM
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Rosie Rosie is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: I live in on the Rosamond Skypark (CA) and am married to Victoria (Tuppergal).
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by teamzipper View Post
<snip> Regarding the pedal design, is there some overriding wonderful benefit to the new style.
ABSOLUTELY!!!!! You and your passenger can extend (stretch) your legs out under the pedals which is worth it's weight in Gold on long cross-country flights... I would know (and my 5'10" brother can verify) Rosie
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  #4  
Old 11-30-2012, 12:07 PM
rv699jb rv699jb is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 64
Default daddy long legs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosie View Post
ABSOLUTELY!!!!! You and your passenger can extend (stretch) your legs out under the pedals which is worth it's weight in Gold on long cross-country flights... I would know (and my 5'10" brother can verify) Rosie
(...and Paul's six foot six inch friend can also verify..... )

Jim Baker
RV-6
overhead rudder pedals
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  #5  
Old 11-30-2012, 12:07 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
Default

If the floor mounted pedals have the proper gussets, they are fine. The gussets were a very early mod, so most all aircraft should have them.
The hanging pedals are nicer, but not worth the trouble to me. Ann & I are both short. We've been flying ours for almost 20 years.
It is a pretty extensive mod requiring a lot of "under the panel" work.
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Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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  #6  
Old 11-30-2012, 12:37 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosie View Post
ABSOLUTELY!!!!! You and your passenger can extend (stretch) your legs out under the pedals which is worth it's weight in Gold on long cross-country flights... I would know (and my 5'10" brother can verify) Rosie
I agree with Rosie, but there are benefits to the floor monted pedals also.

The pedals move as a parallelogram so the brake pedals stay at (somewhat) the same angle relative to the floor as they move.
This helps a lot with the problem many people have of inadvertently applying the brake when pushing on the pedal.
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  #7  
Old 11-30-2012, 07:01 PM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,932
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel View Post
If the floor mounted pedals have the proper gussets, they are fine. The gussets were a very early mod, so most all aircraft should have them.
Note: The hanging pedals need the gussets too. Removing and re-installing the pedals is a pain in the buttocks, but reinforcing those welds is critical.
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Rob Prior
1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
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  #8  
Old 11-30-2012, 07:10 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 View Post
The pedals move as a parallelogram so the brake pedals stay at (somewhat) the same angle relative to the floor as they move.
This helps a lot with the problem many people have of inadvertently applying the brake when pushing on the pedal.
I have never been bothered with the floor mounted pedals on our -6 (Kit #4, and yes, they have the reinforcing gussets) - especially when I think of having to work underneath the panel to change them! But then again, I have flown so many differnt airplanes with so many diferent pedal configurations....I just adapt to them.
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RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
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  #9  
Old 12-02-2012, 06:20 AM
tmendy tmendy is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 51
Default Floor mount

We have the floor mount and an unused set of overhead mount Type in the hangar.

Caution: As others have pointed out do the gusset mod if yours aren't. They CAN break. (Vans site has the AD)

We are completely happy with the floor pedals.

(if you decide to do the overhead let me know if you need the kit)
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RV6
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  #10  
Old 12-02-2012, 10:43 AM
Keith Williams Keith Williams is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Milan, Illinois
Posts: 130
Default Floor Mod

I built my RV6 with the floor mounted pedals - did it right before the hanging version became available. Flew it a few years and decided to change.

I found the change to be relatively easy - inconvenient, but nothing really tough. (Naturally, I had put my NACA air vents a half inch or so too low so that was a problem, but it worked out.) I really like the change for the extra foot space in cruising and would do it again.

Scott is right about the braking. I'm tall (6'4") and have to watch that. But its fine - just something to be aware of.
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Keith Williams
Milan, IL
Built RV6 #756, 1989-99, flew until selling 5/2016.
Built RV12 #533, 5/2011 to 11/2012, flying
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