RV-8 Stick Height

[David-aviator]

The stock RV-8 front seat stick has to be shortened to clear the instrument panel when the stick is full forward.

I had shortened mine so it just cleared the panel, however my DAR pointed out I could not press the PTT button when full forward, the clearance was so close.

So, I took another inch off it. Now it seems too short, like it is just level with my knees if an appropriate cushion is used to better see forward.

The stick height from the bearing attachment is 13", could some of you measure your front seat stick height for comparison?

Thanks, and if it is around 13", how are you getting along with it?

I am considering ordering another stick or attaching an extension to it to make it feel better AND rigging the elevator rod end bearings so the stick slopes back a bit and does not interfere with the IP. The plan calls for the stick to be vertical for roll and pitch when the elevators and ailerons are in neutral and that mandates the stick be shortened because it goes so far forward as to hit the IP. But there may be enough thread at the rod ends to move it back a bit so it does not hit the IP.

Have any of you done this to keep the stick from ending up under the IP when full forward?

[tweiss]

David try this. I remember reading this in my dreaming days prior to starting my build and it might address your issue. If the attached doesn't work, I just searched stick bending.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...=stick+bending

Good Luck

Tom

[chrispratt]

David:

You might be over-thinking this. If you can put the stick under the instrument panel while flying you will be superman. I went through the same dilemma when building and finished with the stick just clearing under the panel hoping that would be enough.

Then I flew the airplane (years later ).

I can't get the stick anywhere near the bottom of the panel while flying. The aerodynamic forces are just too great. So my 2 cents is to keep the stick as long as possible so that flying position will be more comfortable/natural and your leverage will be greater.

Chris

Note: On the ground it may be nice to be able to move the stick under the panel for maintenance, etc. So just clearing it seems to have worked for me.

[Ironflight]

HI David,

1) Yes, the stick is going to feel pretty short for it to clear the panel
2) Bending the stick helps (at east for my geometry), but doesn't eliminate the need for the short stick.
3) You get quite used to it, and it has never been a problem fr me. Frankly, I frequently hold the stick at the bottom of the grip.

Paul

[rocketbob]

Originally Posted by David-aviator

I had shortened mine so it just cleared the panel, however my DAR pointed out I could not press the PTT button when full forward, the clearance was so close.

OK stupid question. Why would one have a need to be able to push on the PTT while the stick is full forward?

On my rocket I cut/rewelded the front of the control weldment and brought the stick back 2-1/2" so it is exactly where I want it and no more interference with the panel. No reason why this couldn't be done with the RV-8.

[DaAV8R]

Is there anyone currently bending -8 sticks? When sitting in a 8 the stick seems too far forward with a straight stick.

[Low Pass]

Make a mitered z-bend (cut and weld) in the stick immediately below the grip. It's the only geometry that allows for a comfortably long stick with proper throws. I used a ~4" aft displacement with ~3-5° fwd angle relative to the lower portion of the stick.

[scsmith]

Originally Posted by David-aviator

T

I am considering ordering another stick or attaching an extension to it to make it feel better AND rigging the elevator rod end bearings so the stick slopes back a bit and does not interfere with the IP. The plan calls for the stick to be vertical for roll and pitch when the elevators and ailerons are in neutral and that mandates the stick be shortened because it goes so far forward as to hit the IP. But there may be enough thread at the rod ends to move it back a bit so it does not hit the IP.

Have any of you done this to keep the stick from ending up under the IP when full forward?

If you rig the bearings so that the stick points a bit aft at neutral controls, you will have an interference problem at full aft stick. Getting full aft stick is much more important than full forward stick (unless you plan to fly upside down). If you rig it the way you suggest, the stick will hit the seat cushion, and perhaps even the front lip of the seat ramp.

For what it is worth, I cut my stick to the length that clears the bottom of the panel with enough clearance that if my thumb were on the top of the stick, it would not get wedged between the stick and the bottom of the panel. So it clears by about a 1/2" or a bit less. I don't have any switches on the top of the stick, the PTT is a trigger-finger switch.

I was going to bend my stick, or do the miter welding, but I decided to try the straight one first and I am glad I did. For my height and arm length, the stick is perfect as it is.

My only complaint is that with normal seat-back cushion and no parachute, my arm reach is not long enough to get enough forward stick travel to unload the airplane fully on the inverted 45 for a cuban 8.
With my aerobatic seat-back and parachute, I sit enough farther forward that it is not a problem. Contrary to a previous post, I find no excessive stick force that prevents pushing the stick that far forward, but it is a long arm extension.

[Tim Fitzpatrick]

David,

I had the same concerns when finishing up my 8A. I have a 10 inch Dynon and was able to take a little bit off the bottom of the instrument panel and also bent my stick so it would rest in a natural spot for me when flying. I fly helicopters for a living and have that helo pilot slouch when I fly (I think that started in Huey?s). I used a piece of conduit to figure out exactly how I wanted the stick and then took it to a master welder and had him copy the conduit. He said he would never do it again as it was a very difficult thing to get the stick to bend just right and look good. I am vertically challenged, and have not developed my gut yet so it is perfect for me. However someone tall and maybe with a bit of a belly would not be able to get the stick all the way aft. As a side note I also moved the throttle back about 6 inches so it rests nicely in my left hand. Best of luck and hope you are in the air soon,

[Stu McCurdy]

Here's a Thread I input when I installed my AFS 5500, but in the picture you can see my stick which I bent when I built the RV-8.
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...alled+AFS+5500

The bent stick provides a much better position for body, arm when flying, and it allows for full movement of the stick inflight.