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  #1  
Old 04-27-2013, 04:14 PM
Maj. Woody Maj. Woody is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 32
Default Another beating

Hi Guys.
I just completed another flight in my trusty Cessna 150. I mostly love this plane but usually get beaten to death in rough air. I have been planning the purchase of a flying RV-4 and am wondering how the RV-4 will compare in similar conditions. I would guess how a plane behaves in rough air is a combination of it's gross weight and wing loading. My Cessna grosses out at 1,600 pounds. Should I expect the ride quality of an RV-4 to be better, worse or the same as in my 150?
Thanks!
Dom
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  #2  
Old 04-27-2013, 04:19 PM
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Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
been here awhile
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maj. Woody View Post
Hi Guys.
I just completed another flight in my trusty Cessna 150. I mostly love this plane but usually get beaten to death in rough air. I have been planning the purchase of a flying RV-4 and am wondering how the RV-4 will compare in similar conditions. I would guess how a plane behaves in rough air is a combination of it's gross weight and wing loading. My Cessna grosses out at 1,600 pounds. Should I expect the ride quality of an RV-4 to be better, worse or the same as in my 150?
Thanks!
Dom
As a general rule....the two-place RVs are a rough ride in turbulence. The bumps will be more abrupt and "harder/sharper" than in your C150.

Unlike the 150, the RV has instantaneous control authority that lets you immediately correct deviations from the bumps. Slowing down will improve the RV ride a little, but when the thermals are popping...tighten down the belts.
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  #3  
Old 04-27-2013, 04:56 PM
don.olandese don.olandese is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 193
Default however, in the summertime thermals...

your option for getting above the turbulence level is hugely expanded because it doesn't take long to get up there in an RV. in a 150, by the time you get above the thermals it's time to come down - if you ever got there at all. your option to find most favorable winds is also more common.
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  #4  
Old 04-27-2013, 04:58 PM
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hydroguy2 hydroguy2 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Townsend, Montana
Posts: 3,179
Default

Yep, what Sam said. My RV is the roughest riding plane I've been in. I've smacked the canopy pretty hard several times, but now I usually remember to tighten the belts if the ride seems headed that direction. My wife has never hit her head, but she hates flying so her belts are always sucked down tight.

Disclaimer...I don't have a lot of hours in much. 172, Citabria and a few Bonanza. I like the heavy Bo rocking around. Or the soft flex of the wood sparred Citabria
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  #5  
Old 04-27-2013, 05:11 PM
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n5lp n5lp is offline
fugio ergo sum
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Carlsbad, NM
Posts: 1,912
Default

I scared myself a couple of weeks ago by whacking my head hard on the canopy on a day that generally wasn't that rough (it stunned me). For me also, it is the roughest riding airplane I have ever flown and I have a lot of Cessna 150/152 time. The high speed, low weight and low wing loading cause this and also cause many of the wonderful qualities of the airplane. Just one of the trade offs.

Slowing way way down helps a lot, but then you might as well be flying the Cessna 150.
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  #6  
Old 04-27-2013, 05:20 PM
N208ET N208ET is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Helens OR
Posts: 429
Default Load the plane up

My 8A handles the bumps a lot better when it's loaded down with fuel and baggage.

Randy
8A
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  #7  
Old 04-27-2013, 05:29 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
Default

Don't forget the upside: you won't need to endure the rough ride nearly as long. :-)
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  #8  
Old 04-27-2013, 06:23 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rv7charlie View Post
Don't forget the upside: you won't need to endure the rough ride nearly as long. :-)
And don't forget the ability to clime to smoother air. RV pilots commonly climb to much higher altitudes (even for short flights) than you likely would in a C-150 (often times the 150 probably wouldn't even make it as high).
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  #9  
Old 04-27-2013, 08:06 PM
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AlexPeterson AlexPeterson is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 2,334
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Good 5 point harnesses will really change the comfort level in turbulence. I've been in both 4 and 5 point, no comparison in turbulence. If you find an RV-4 with only 4 point, modify it for the crotch strap, and get the wide style of belts.
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  #10  
Old 04-27-2013, 08:59 PM
pilot28906 pilot28906 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Murphy, NC
Posts: 535
Default

I have a lot of time in 172's & 152's and what I hate about them more than a rough ride is their roll tendancy in wind over the mountains. Do the RV's have this tendancy or are the tail waggers?
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