RV-4 aerobatics

[artrose]

Originally Posted by smokyray

Eric, several years ago I entered my then new, unpainted 100 hour RV4 in a local IAC competition. From the moment I arrived the reception was well, chilly to say the least. From the inspection to registration to the flying, the disdain felt by me from the "good ole boys" was resplendent. Not to mention I had just returned from a rotation in Iraq dodging SAMs at night and supporting Special Forces in the F16. The stage was set for a good old southern butt whooping.
Needless to say I kept my cool, followed the rules and placed 3rd of 6 in the sportsman on my first try in my RV4, the only non-Pitts in attendance. I didn't have to shoot anybody, call in an air strike or dissect any judges with a K-Bar although that thought crossed my mind. Fact is, it soured me on competing and I'm sure others have similar tales. Aerobatics should be fun and competitions should reflect that attitude.


V/R
Smokey

Ha Funny. I knew I wasn't the only one. Since before learning to fly, and finally getting the opportunity some 20 something years ago, I had wanted to learn aerobatics. 5 or 6 years ago I attended one of the local competetions. Try showing up in your Cherokee. Talk about rejection. I spent about an hour trying to talk and finally packed up and left. Never again. Once I was able to finally own my capable plane I found a good instructor who I fly with regularly. I'm not interested in competetion, ever, especially after that experience. I'm only interested in becoming the best flopper I can be, and I'm getting there, but with no thanks to the self centered perfectionists.

[sandifer]

Originally Posted by artrose

Ha Funny. I knew I wasn't the only one. Since before learning to fly, and finally getting the opportunity some 20 something years ago, I had wanted to learn aerobatics. 5 or 6 years ago I attended one of the local competetions. Try showing up in your Cherokee. Talk about rejection. I spent about an hour trying to talk and finally packed up and left. Never again. Once I was able to finally own my capable plane I found a good instructor who I fly with regularly. I'm not interested in competetion, ever, especially after that experience. I'm only interested in becoming the best flopper I can be, and I'm getting there, but with no thanks to the self centered perfectionists.

You'll find a percentage of jerks out there no matter what kind of activity you're into. I'm not out to defend anyone who's a jerk only because I share an interest in acro with them. I'm not sure who the guys are you're referring to, but sorry you've shut the door on it based on the impression you got at one contest. What you decribe is not consistent with the folks I know in the sport.

In the past 6 years, I've attended 12 contests, flown 9, and run 3. Never had a bad experience with anyone. I can't say I've met anyone who I'd actually consider so self-centered that they couldn't be bothered to give the time of day to a newbie expressing interest in acro. Some folks DO visit contests and occasionally come away with the impression that the pilots are a somewhat standoffish bunch, not interested in talking to newbies or non-participants. It's not generally the case - it's just that there are a million things going on at a contest, and the pilots are typically either involved at the moment helping with the many things that make a contest go, or are focusing and mentally preparing for their next flight on the ground. It's hard to appreciate that unless you know what it takes to get a contest done. That's it. There are free moments, but you may have to catch someone at the right time, or when flights are done for the day. Catch somone who's not busy, show some genuine interest, and 99% of them will be happy to talk to you, help you, and they will be friendly.

I don't think pilots who fly competition aerobatics are any more arrogant or self-centered than any other type of pilot. I happen to think a lot of the over-inflated ego types are NOT involved with competition because their egos can't handle it. Any competition acro pilot who has worked through the categories has been humbled many times at contests. There isn't a whole lot of baseless hubris in this crowd. Competition pilots have no false sense of their abilities, because they have been publicly measured and documented many times. IMO, the worst example of outsized egos are in pilots who lack the knowledge to realize how deficient they truly are, yet feel they're beyond learning anything further.

Not saying you didn't have a bad experience and didn't ecounter a bunch of jerks, but it would be unfair and untrue to characterize the whole sport like that...not that you are.

[usmcshooter]

All that stuff can be kept positive and you don't need anything special for that. Don't bother with inverted oil, flop tubes, oil separators, accumulators, or any combination of these items unless you have interest aerobatics involving negative G. If you don't know the answer to this, get with an acro instructor and find out what style of acro suits you.
__________________
ERIC SANDIFER

If you choose to do any of this, can the aircraft be retrofitted or is it easier to do during the build? I would like to be prepared for anything so to speak, but I also want to keep the 4 simple, like it was originally intended. So far the only variance from stock that I plan is RV6 tanks. When I say stock, I mean fule injected 160hp with FP prop...as simple as possible. If I really start getting into it at a later date, maybe I would retro the AC, that way it is a simple build in the likely possibility that I don't need all of the "extras."

[pitts flyer]

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13865760/charlies-rv

[n5lp]

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13865760/charlies-rv

I don't know how much is true but it is all hilarious.

[mv031161]

Originally Posted by sandifer

You'll find a percentage of jerks out there no matter what kind of activity you're into. I'm not out to defend anyone who's a jerk only because I share an interest in acro with them. I'm not sure who the guys are you're referring to, but sorry you've shut the door on it based on the impression you got at one contest. What you decribe is not consistent with the folks I know in the sport.

In the past 6 years, I've attended 12 contests, flown 9, and run 3. Never had a bad experience with anyone. I can't say I've met anyone who I'd actually consider so self-centered that they couldn't be bothered to give the time of day to a newbie expressing interest in acro. Some folks DO visit contests and occasionally come away with the impression that the pilots are a somewhat standoffish bunch, not interested in talking to newbies or non-participants. It's not generally the case - it's just that there are a million things going on at a contest, and the pilots are typically either involved at the moment helping with the many things that make a contest go, or are focusing and mentally preparing for their next flight on the ground. It's hard to appreciate that unless you know what it takes to get a contest done. That's it. There are free moments, but you may have to catch someone at the right time, or when flights are done for the day. Catch somone who's not busy, show some genuine interest, and 99% of them will be happy to talk to you, help you, and they will be friendly.

I don't think pilots who fly competition aerobatics are any more arrogant or self-centered than any other type of pilot. I happen to think a lot of the over-inflated ego types are NOT involved with competition because their egos can't handle it. Any competition acro pilot who has worked through the categories has been humbled many times at contests. There isn't a whole lot of baseless hubris in this crowd. Competition pilots have no false sense of their abilities, because they have been publicly measured and documented many times. IMO, the worst example of outsized egos are in pilots who lack the knowledge to realize how deficient they truly are, yet feel they're beyond learning anything further.

Not saying you didn't have a bad experience and didn't ecounter a bunch of jerks, but it would be unfair and untrue to characterize the whole sport like that...not that you are.

Well Said Pres!

[g zero]

I put the " Charlie's RV " video together after meeting "Mr Mays" in Sebring .
At lunch he went on a rant about RV's .
Tom

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by n5lp

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13865760/charlies-rv

I don't know how much is true but it is all hilarious.

Very funny! ! And you know what they say about humor. It's roots lie in fact.

[ssmdive]

From Vans website:

"Although RVs are capable aerobatic aircraft, we do not recommend them for serious competition aerobatics. Their high speed is not suited to the restricted competition zones. In order to stay "in the box’’ they would have to fly slower and lose the benefit of inertia, or keep the speed up and pull too many Gs."

[smokyray]

Originally Posted by sandifer

Not saying you didn't have a bad experience and didn't encounter a bunch of jerks, but it would be unfair and untrue to characterize the whole sport like that...not that you are.

Eric,
Nobody has more potential ego inflation issues than Fighter Pilots, trust me. However comma, the reality of recent world events, daily dealings literally with life and death and time away from home requirements placed on service members have changed all that. Nothing humbles one more than a rotation to Afghanistan or Iraq. I'm sure the group I encountered was rare although they almost ended up "well done". I would never judge the IAC from one bad experience and I will compete again...someday.

For now I enjoy supporting a facet of aviation void of ego and rich with service.

V/R
Smokey
www.iamanet.org