I'd just like to hear of experiences flying a RV8 in some backcountry situations, namely Idaho/Montana. I'm thinking of buying a 8, and I know the RV's don't land all that slow for the shorter fields, as I currently have a -4. I never used my 4 that much for any backcountry due to it's limited gear space... Am I crazy for wanting to land a RV on some rougher surfaces?
No.
However; I would note that the backcountry is not for everyone and it is harder on the airplane (at least an RV) than a typical airport. If maintaining a show quality airplane or uninterested in learning the necessary skills, then don't.
I've been taking my RV-3 and now RV-4 to the Idaho backcountry for more than ten years. My buddy usually takes his RV-4 or Carbon Cub but this past summer took his RV-8 on one trip. His report, as I recall, is that the gear is much stiffer (than the -4) and he was concerned with that so he did not go into some of our usual haunts. The primary issue is the 'undulations' that exist at many of the airstrips. These are usually due to the erosion strips that setup a sort of stair step type thing. When really bad, the RV-4 gear is really flexing to absorb this. The stiff RV-8 gear just doesn't do that and can result in some really ugly hobby-horse type action.
Jim ?? Is a caretaker at Johnson Creek and his RV-8 is usually there every time I visit. He flies it to many of the other airstrips. He has large tires.
My buddy and I have the larger 380x150 tires on all of our RV's. As already noted, this is not required for the more popular grass airstrips. Wheel skirts always take a beating, occasionally I'll take them off once I get to JC.
As already stated, the more popular airstrips are quite long and smooth. The others require much better technique, ability to evaluate an airstrip (from the air and then pick and choose your line - mostly due to gopher holes), and some are fairly demanding in terms of 'space' (as in tucked deep down in rather tight canyons, one way strips, etc.). Of course, some of the airstrips are just not RV friendly.
That said, I've been to all of the following with both -3 and -4.
Johnson Creek
Big Creek
Smiley Creek
Moose Creek
Chamberlain
Cold Meadows
Flying B
Upper Loon
Thomas Creek
Indian Creek
Johnson Creek - Approach from the north and landing
https://youtu.be/xu3XmmIFdLI
Big Creek landing and takeoff
https://youtu.be/hxBSY4tWHlo
Thomas Creek landing
https://youtu.be/aVTimgLvbXo
Thomas Creek takeoff
https://youtu.be/_09ai2Ho9m0
Upper Loon landing
https://youtu.be/C1Riheb7M7s
A bunch of others in my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/jdfinley
To anyone landing their RV "fast" - I'd suggest getting that under control before heading to the backcountry. I'm most familiar with my RV-3 and RV-4 and an approach speed of 1.2 VS0 is more than adequate. I know many pilots prefer an approach speed of 1.5 to 1.7 VS0 but that is excessive and just won't work very well in the backcountry. There is also no ability to fly a 'typical' pattern (huge) in the backcountry. Being comfortable maneuvering at low speed is important as you don't have a lot of space inside many of the canyons plus you are spacing with Cub type airplanes.
The backcountry environment most definitely takes some getting used to. Density altitude, very limited maneuvering space, very close proximity to terrain/other traffic, and a different 'style' of air to air communication all seem to cause issues for the inexperienced. Usually resulting in tunnel vision which is what often causes accidents.