David-aviator
Well Known Member
Greetings,
Decided today was the day to do it.
With Frank Baldwin and Gale Derosers acting as flight advisers, I took off at about 9 am.
Climbed to 3000' over the airpark, checked flight controls (very sensitive but stable) did a clean stall (51knots) and full flaps (47 knots). Conferred with Frank on an approach speed and settled on 60 knots over the fence.
Proceeded to Frank's 3000' grass strip at Sylex, Missouri (about 7 miles north) for the first landing as previously planned. Decided if I survived that landing, do 180 on the runway and head back to Troy Airpark. The Silex landing went well, no bounce, much more pilot friendly than the RV-6, did the 180, reset the flaps to 10 and launched again. This airplane really is a delight to fly, it is off the ground ahead of me.
We have 2200' of hard surface at Troy and about 1700' of nice grass. It was previously decided to land on the grass, it is more forgiving for sure. That's what I did, landed with no bounce and I did not bend any metal.
The approach speed of 60 knots is about right for calm conditions. My personal evaluation of the flight is be less aggressive on the controls, especially the forward pressure after touch down. I did not give the 8 a chance to bounce with some forward stick after touch down. Estimate the touch down speed at about 50-55. I could have held it off longer. As one RV driver on VAF mentioned, the learning is just beginning.
The engine (BPE Superior XP0360 180HP) performed with no contrary indications. Max CHT was 357, max OT was 163 after the second take off at Silex. WOT at 3000' showed 2670 rpm, IAS 157 KIAS. This is with no wheel pants or fairings. After the engine is broke in and the machine cleaned up, I believe it will turn up over 2700 rpm and the speed will be faster.
Feels good to be alive and have done this.
Thanks to all for the good input on flying the RV-8. it is a delightful machine.
dd
PS: Someone is bound to ask, what about the insurance. I do not have the required 10 hours of dual so in flight hull coverage is not in effect. I will negotiate with NationAir on the that subject. Today was perfect to fly, so I did it. Frank will fly with me in the 6 some more if need be. I need 2.9 more hours.
Decided today was the day to do it.
With Frank Baldwin and Gale Derosers acting as flight advisers, I took off at about 9 am.
Climbed to 3000' over the airpark, checked flight controls (very sensitive but stable) did a clean stall (51knots) and full flaps (47 knots). Conferred with Frank on an approach speed and settled on 60 knots over the fence.
Proceeded to Frank's 3000' grass strip at Sylex, Missouri (about 7 miles north) for the first landing as previously planned. Decided if I survived that landing, do 180 on the runway and head back to Troy Airpark. The Silex landing went well, no bounce, much more pilot friendly than the RV-6, did the 180, reset the flaps to 10 and launched again. This airplane really is a delight to fly, it is off the ground ahead of me.
We have 2200' of hard surface at Troy and about 1700' of nice grass. It was previously decided to land on the grass, it is more forgiving for sure. That's what I did, landed with no bounce and I did not bend any metal.
The approach speed of 60 knots is about right for calm conditions. My personal evaluation of the flight is be less aggressive on the controls, especially the forward pressure after touch down. I did not give the 8 a chance to bounce with some forward stick after touch down. Estimate the touch down speed at about 50-55. I could have held it off longer. As one RV driver on VAF mentioned, the learning is just beginning.
The engine (BPE Superior XP0360 180HP) performed with no contrary indications. Max CHT was 357, max OT was 163 after the second take off at Silex. WOT at 3000' showed 2670 rpm, IAS 157 KIAS. This is with no wheel pants or fairings. After the engine is broke in and the machine cleaned up, I believe it will turn up over 2700 rpm and the speed will be faster.
Feels good to be alive and have done this.
Thanks to all for the good input on flying the RV-8. it is a delightful machine.
dd
PS: Someone is bound to ask, what about the insurance. I do not have the required 10 hours of dual so in flight hull coverage is not in effect. I will negotiate with NationAir on the that subject. Today was perfect to fly, so I did it. Frank will fly with me in the 6 some more if need be. I need 2.9 more hours.
