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Crosswind landing RV-4

RV-4 crosswind landing

Hi Chris

You're right , the RV-4 can handle a lot of wind...

I found one of me landing at a FLY-IN ( CSU3 )when looking at yours...I didn't know it existed....The things we find on the net..

I remember being a gusty day though..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04oS31KsS9s

Cheers

Bruno
 
Low Pass said:
Wheel land a C-170 (non counter balanced elevator), then get back with us! :)
Click to expand...

The first wheel landing I did in my C-170B was a "squeakier". Another pilot saw it and asked how in the world I did that.
I was never able to repeat it!
 
Low Pass said:
Wheel land a C-170 (non counter balanced elevator), then get back with us! :)
Click to expand...

I admit that is impossible, since there are no 170s without elevator counterbalances. ;)

But I've seen more 170s do wheel landings than 3-pointers. What's the deal? I admit I've never flown one.
 
luddite42 said:
I admit that is impossible, since there are no 170s without elevator counterbalances. ;)
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Actually, there are.

My "rag-wing" 1948 C-170 is uncounterbalanced.

Your arm gets a workout going down a rough grass strip, and wheelies are tricky.

But I prefer three pointers anyway!
 
alot depends on the airplane

luddite42 said:
Well done. Good approach with no excess speed. Nice to see people still doing 3-pointers, x-wind or not. Anyone can do a wheel landing. :p
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The RV-4 is one of the easiest landing airplanes I have flown. It has good rudder athority, and the ailerons are effective until the plane stops flying.

Every airplane type is different. ie. generally making a full stall 3 point landing is beginners work. wheel landing a cessna steel gear tail dragger requires finess and a good touch.

The globe swift is better wheeled in because with full flaps the elevator gets blanked out by the flaps. Not saying it can't be done ( I have ) but I doubt one could do it well 5 times in a row.

my point is that every airplane type is different so we can't generalize techniques.

video was entertainment value only :))
 
Christopher Murphy said:
my point is that every airplane type is different so we can't generalize techniques.
Click to expand...

True, but once you get a handle on wheel landings, IMO they are easier (in most TW airplanes) than a good 3-pointer. I see more people do wheel landings these days in all types of TW airplanes IMO because they ARE easier, with less chance for those embarrassing bounces or drop-ins when you're trying to show everyone at the fly-in how good you can land. :)

TShort said:
Actually, there are.

My "rag-wing" 1948 C-170 is uncounterbalanced.
Click to expand...

Sorry, way OT, but this is a '48 ragwing. Small elevator counterbalance. The 170B had a larger counterbalance, but it's still an aerodynamic counterbalance no? Never seen a 170 elevator with no counterbalance like a J-3 Cub elevator.

29g1k4g.jpg
 
When doing X winds I employ a technique that might be helpful. As I roll out on final, I say to myself "wing down, top rudder" and as I say it I do it.

When I say I do it, I do it to an exaggerated amount - for an x wind from the left, I put in a healthy amount of left aileron and a healthy amount of right rudder. Now with the correct cross controlled arrangement established in my brain, I just fly what I naturally need to keep on centerline pointed down the runway with no drift.

Positively establishing the correct control inputs at the outset just takes away any of the confusion as to what you will be doing, and from there it is just flying.

Try it. Works for me.
 
luddite42 said:
Sorry, way OT, but this is a '48 ragwing. Small elevator counterbalance. The 170B had a larger counterbalance, but it's still an aerodynamic counterbalance no? Never seen a 170 elevator with no counterbalance like a J-3 Cub elevator.

29g1k4g.jpg
Click to expand...

Aha ... my error.

You are right, there is a small aerodynamic counterbalance, but no counterweight, which is what I was thinking of. Good point. I will tell you however, that with low airspeed and airflow the elevators are heavy!
 
Thanks for the video Chris...

The -4 amazed me a few months ago when I was performing air taxi duties for my wife. The winds were forecast at 14G18 but ended up being 18G22 and all 3 airports in the plan for the day and 90 degree winds at that.

I do this often solo but I was bit worried with the extra weight in the back but it was better. The airplane tended to weather vein less in the gusts.

Love the -4. Just need to get it back flying.
 
RV-4 said:
Hi Chris

You're right , the RV-4 can handle a lot of wind...

I found one of me landing at a FLY-IN ( CSU3 )when looking at yours...I didn't know it existed....The things we find on the net..

I remember being a gusty day though..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04oS31KsS9s

Cheers

Bruno
Click to expand...

Bruno, I like your technique of dumping (raising) the manual flaps right after touchdown. I did the same with my -4....felt like spoilers deploying on an airliner.
 
Rv-4 crosswinds landing

Hi Jim

That's what I like about the manual flaps, as you say: they work like spoilers..

Depending on the conditions,I like raising them slowly which make the a/c settle down nice and smooth..but if required I just dumped them (like in the video) and wham...the a/c is no longer flying..

Bruno
 
Me too

RV-4 said:
Hi Jim

That's what I like about the manual flaps, as you say: they work like spoilers..

Depending on the conditions,I like raising them slowly which make the a/c settle down nice and smooth..but if required I just dumped them (like in the video) and wham...the a/c is no longer flying..

Bruno
Click to expand...

Ditto Jim & Bruno. :)
 
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