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View Poll Results: Please pick the option that describes you below.
I have electric flaps and love them. 38 56.72%
I have manual flaps and love them. 22 32.84%
I have electric flaps, and wish I would have gone manual 2 2.99%
I have manual flaps and wich I would have gone electric. 6 8.96%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 67. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 12-19-2013, 07:00 AM
Gregg Brightwell's Avatar
Gregg Brightwell Gregg Brightwell is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Benton, Kansas
Posts: 259
Default Electric or Stiff Arm Flaps RV-4....

All,

The very recent thread on flaps is very timely for me, as I am putting deposit on fuse kit next week. (Merry Christmas to ME)

This is a poll to see what the consensus is out there with flaps on an RV-4. I WANT electric, but was suprised to see it as a $605.00 option. (I thought it was more like $250.00 for some reason)

Manual flap handle is in the way at times.

I have flown both styles, and am now back 'ON the fence'.
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  #2  
Old 12-19-2013, 08:19 AM
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acam37 acam37 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lufkin Tx
Posts: 689
Default

Gregg, as I have not yet flown my RV-4 I do not yet have an opinion. However it seems it is one of those never ending debates. I decided to convert mine over to electric and see how it works out. If I don't like it, I can easily change it back.
If you are good at fabricating and reading plans, you can buy everything needed for less than $250.00
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  #3  
Old 12-19-2013, 03:22 PM
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777Dave 777Dave is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Picton, Ont., Ft. Myers, Fl
Posts: 294
Default flaps

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregg Brightwell View Post
All,

The very recent thread on flaps is very timely for me, as I am putting deposit on fuse kit next week. (Merry Christmas to ME)

This is a poll to see what the consensus is out there with flaps on an RV-4. I WANT electric, but was suprised to see it as a $605.00 option. (I thought it was more like $250.00 for some reason)

Manual flap handle is in the way at times.

I have flown both styles, and am now back 'ON the fence'.
I did an electric retrofit last winter. Very happy with the results. The handle was always in the way of the passengers BIG left foot and my left shoulder did not look forward to the full flap extension process.... money well spent.
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  #4  
Old 12-20-2013, 08:17 AM
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smokyray smokyray is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
Default Get a handle on it...

When I built my RV4 back in the day, (89') electric flaps weren't an option. The idea of a light, simple, effective flight control with instant use, no delay and simplicity is perfect.
I designed the handle so it didn't interfere with the rear seat foot well or I landed no-flap with a rare big dude in back seat. I have flown all the RV models with and without and have my own opinions. My Rocket had electric flaps and I flew a friends without. Just like my RV4 with manual, I liked them better. So...
when I built my RVX it has manual flaps.

1500 RV4 manual flap hours later it proved it's worth in every conceivable use.
Why you say?
1. STOL: takeoffs and landings, quick up and down.
2. Dog fights, Aerobatics- increase turn radius, nose rate below 100 knots.
3. Simplicity, never breaks, instant feedback.
4. Lighter
5. No wires, motors or switches.

My dos centavos...
V/R
Smokey
RV4 flown 1500 hours, sold
HR2 flown 1000 hours, sold
RVX flying furiously!
F16 missed greatly!

Last edited by smokyray : 12-20-2013 at 08:35 AM.
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  #5  
Old 12-20-2013, 11:17 AM
arunnells arunnells is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 130
Default Manual flaps RV-3 vs Electric flaps RV-6

I have electric flaps on my 6, MAC servos, works fine but a bit slow compared to the manual flaps on my 3. I have colored tape indicators on the flaps for position on the 6, or you can just count seconds of deployment as well. If I went electric again I would use a position switch for both up and down so you can just set it and forget it. I would also rig the flaps switch for the stick handle, mine is on the dash, not the best place. I echo what Smokey says about manual flaps, and would add that when you are doing touch and goes, the manual flaps are so much quicker and easier to use. I will not be putting electric flaps on the 3 ,too simple, light, fast and cheap to change. As well, with the manual flaps, you almost don't need to look at the ASI during deployment of the manual flaps, you can really tell how fast you are going just from the deployment pressure with the manual handle setup. Keep it light, keep it simple.
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  #6  
Old 12-20-2013, 04:31 PM
rvbuilder1 rvbuilder1 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 86
Default

I had manual flaps on my 6 back in the 90's and they worked well. The handle was a tube with a half circular arc that when you pushed the button held by a spring it automatically clicked into a slot on the circular arc holding the correct down position
The 4 manual flap is a 1/8 in flat bar that is flimsy and was too close to my left side and I was constantly kicking it out of position with my body movement releasing the flaps. Not good on final approach with full flaps. I rebent it more to the outside away from my body and welded reinforcing strips along the entire length giving it more rigidity. Work great now.
I pulled my electric flaps after two motor failures as I had to keep pulling the floor to get at the motor.
The manual flaps are better IMO once you fix the flap arm issue.
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  #7  
Old 12-20-2013, 05:27 PM
tikicarver tikicarver is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Tehachapi,CA
Posts: 131
Default

I vote for the manual flap.
Like others have said, just re-design the handle.
Why put an expensive and more complex system in when you only use it during landing.
my 2cents
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  #8  
Old 12-20-2013, 06:00 PM
springer springer is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: AZ/MN
Posts: 376
Default Gusty winds when landing

I have mentioned this before, the main reason I like manual flaps is for landing in gusty or x-wind conditions. Once assured I have landed I dump (raise) the flaps which fimly plants the a/c. Feels like spoilers deploying on an airliner.
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RV-4 '88-'09 Built & Sold
RV-8 Purchased
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  #9  
Old 12-21-2013, 10:36 AM
Nate-ISU Nate-ISU is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 51
Default

My experience point is only ~60/hrs on my -4 with manual flaps. I recently heard the tip springer mentioned and it's absolutely right. The responsiveness is my favorite aspect. 95% of my flying is solo, so I can deal with the generally rare occasion of the passengers foot being in the way.

Sort of off topic--but those with footwells, do you find that the passengers foot is still in the way? Same/less, perhaps?

Last edited by Nate-ISU : 12-21-2013 at 10:39 AM.
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  #10  
Old 12-22-2013, 12:59 AM
Shimoda Shimoda is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 34
Default

Had 2 RV4s... first electric : current manual...
I've had the electric flaps fail, but the manual ones never have !

I pick manual : KISS !
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