9 Aeros?

[savas]

I am quite aware, of restriction of aeros on a 9.
Question is, is this restriction on any/all type of maneuvers .
Thanks for replies in advance

[luddite42]

I don't know what the regs state in other countries, but here, the legal definition of "aerobatics" is vague and could mean just about anything, including a steep turn if you want to apply the regs verbatim. You don't have to be upside down, or +/- 30 degrees of pitch, or +60 degrees of bank to meet the legal definition of "aerobatics" (in the States at least). It's all interpretation. Of course, most people associate "aerobatics" with loops, rolls, and spins. All aerobatics is basically infinitely complex variations on these three maneuvers. The RV-9 is not approved for spins. So that leaves loops and rolls. Even though loops and rolls aren't mentioned in the FAA's definition of aerobatics, these will be considered "aerobatics" 100% of the time by anyone in a position to take action against you. What other types of "aerobatic" maneuvers are you wondering about?

[savas]

What I wanted to know, is if the 9, structurally can handle rolls, loops and wing overs, that's all

[WAM120RV]

Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight.

There thats a simple definition to work to....... if you want to do aeros buy a 3,4,6,7,8 then there is no issue!!

My 9 though is a great tourer!!

[luddite42]

Originally Posted by savas

What I wanted to know, is if the 9, structurally can handle rolls, loops and wing overs, that's all

Sure it can. You can safely loop or roll just about any airplane. You just have less strength margin and less margin for screwups compared to airplanes designed for aerobatic stress. Capable and suitable are two different things though.

[airguy]

Originally Posted by luddite42

Sure it can. You can safely loop or roll just about any airplane. You just have less strength margin and less margin for screwups compared to airplanes designed for aerobatic stress. Capable and suitable are two different things though.

And I sure wouldn't want to learn aeros in an airplane with less margin - if someone wants to do aerobatics in a 9/9A they had better already be an expert in them to be able to keep them gentle and stay well within the structural limits. The 9 frame is simply not built for aeros.

[luddite42]

Originally Posted by airguy

...if someone wants to do aerobatics in a 9/9A they had better already be an expert in them to be able to keep them gentle and stay well within the structural limits.

"Expert" depends on your frame of reference I guess. It actually takes very little skill and minimal training to reach the point of consistently and safely doing sloppy loops and rolls well within even the Utility G-limits in an RV. But it does take some very basic introductory aerobatic training and practice. The RV-9 is not a suitable airplane for this type of training, self-taught or otherwise. The FAA has already set the paradigm for type-certificated airplanes being stressed to +6/-3G to be approved for aerobatic maneuvers. EAB aircraft don't fall under these requirements, but it would be irresponsible and unprofessional of Vans Aircraft to allow aerobatics in a design that the FAA would not allow aerobatics to be performed in if it was otherwise type-certificated. Aerobatics in aircraft not designed for it is a slippery slope in a lot of ways. You need to know what you're doing to peform safe aeroatics in any airplane, regardless of its load limits. You don't need to be Bob Hoover, but you do need to be competent enough. The problem is, many pilots don't know how incompetent they are, so they shouldn't be encouraged to do aerobatics in non-aero stressed airplanes. It's one of those, "if you have to ask..." sort of things.

[Jamie Aust]

Originally Posted by savas

What I wanted to know, is if the 9, structurally can handle rolls, loops and wing overs, that's all

YES

[FlyingArcher]

Originally Posted by savas

What I wanted to know, is if the 9, structurally can handle rolls, loops and wing overs, that's all

During my demo flight at Oshkosh 2009 in the factory -9A, the pilot demonstrated the plane handling qualities by making a couple of wing overs, stating that these maneuvers were not considered aerobatic.
They were quite impressive to me anyway and I loved it.

[Mel]

"91.303 Aerobatic Flight.
For the purpose of this section, aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight."

This statement should be in the operating limitations for all US RV-9 aircraft.

For US aerobatic category an aircraft must be stressed for +6/-4 Gs.
The RV-9, -10, and -12 are not designed to these limits.