New to me RV-6

[java]

I'm in the bought camp too. RV-6 same as you. Just to ease your mind, the landings will get better, but be prepared to bounce them even then from time to time!

I've flown mine to Osh and several other longish overnight trips. Turned a 10 hr drive into 2.5 hours this last weekend to go watch my nephew play hockey . It's a great mount. Congrats, and welcome.

[arunnells]

I too am a purchaser of both the RV-6 and RV-3, have flown the 6 to Oshkosh, Reno, Arlington and more. Fabulous plane, I took transition training with Mike Seager and highly recommend it. I have about 250 hrs in the 6 and feel reasonably comfortable with landings now, only 16 hrs in the 3, the learning curve never ends, welcome to the world of Vans.

[JonJay]

Welcome. Redefine what you think is a good landing. A smooth 3 point landing in a tail wheel airplane is not necessarily a "good" landing. To fully stall most 6's, you will either drag the tail wheel first or plop the mains on. If you grease it on, your still flying. Nothing wrong with that as long as you keep your head in the game.
As mentioned, lots of discussion on landing a 6. Definitely the red headed step child in landing of the fleet I have flown. Fun times...

[N941WR]

Welcome!

Enjoy your -6, they are great planes, as you are finding out.

PS. I love my Henry so much I gave one to my father-in-law!

[Michael White]

Hank,
Congrats on the new plane! I know the former owner...are you going to be the one to finally repaint the polka-dot spinner?

[mosquito]

Hi Hank,

Welcome to VAF! I bought my '96 rv-6 about 5 years ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the plane and how to fly her, I know you will too. As you have ascertained by now, VAF is a wonderful community.

About the landings... I have 500 hours now in the plane and well over a thousand landings, and _most_ are quite decent. But inevitably, just when I think I've got it figured out, something horribly embarrassing will happen. So far the plane has always been reusable. The -6 will keep you honest, but it does get easier. Lots of long threads around here about technique, good reading. Happy RVing!

-jon

[Henryrifle]

Thank you again for your welcome and words of encouragement. I practiced landings yesterday evening for 1.5 hours and did finally get the lucky squeaker landing--but just one. The rest were just...meh. I did take the opportunity to fulfill the requirement for night currency, and, in the process, discovered that taxiing a taildragger at night is an exercise in extreme caution. I would not want to do that at a crowded or unfamiliar airport at this time. Thinking night vision goggles would be very beneficial! I am really enjoying the RV-6's honest flying characteristics and direct feedback. What a great plane and this is a great forum.

Regarding the spinner. There is no question that I was going to repaint it, however; I now have a dilemma. My three-year-old daughter thinks it looks just like Minnie Mouse and she loves it. My boys, of course, are completely embarrassed by it. I'll have to commit one way or the other eventually--I guess!?!

Michael, do you know Tammy the previous owner or the builder, Kermanj? I have not had any interaction with the builder but Tammy was awesome to work with. She was really fantastic.

Thank you all again. I am working on a list of questions to post.

Hank

P.S. In the interest of full disclosure, here is a recent picture of the spinner:

[AndyRV7]

Congratulations on the new plane. I too have just found my plane and am loving it!

[ccsmith51]

is an exercise in humility.

I got my RV-4 landings, both 3-point and wheel, pretty much dialed in. Squeakers almost all the time.

When I got the RV-6 I thought that it would be an easy transition. NOT!!!

It seems that even when I squeak them I still get a bounce. I'm also finding it a learning curve to make landings with the constant speed prop. I like to make idle speed landings but I find that at idle, as the speed passes through about 70 mph, the plane just DROPS!!. If I keep about 5" - 10" MP it is not so bad.

I'm not sure if my issue is my landing technique or inexperience with the CSP. All I know is that I need a lot more practice.

Which means I have to fly a lot more. Darn....

[morganjp]

Hank

Welcome to EAA690 and KLZU!

I am looking forward to meeting you.

John Morgan. EAA690 V-P & RV6A driver