G'Day all,
Our RV8A Fastback continues. As you can see we are still making a couple of modifications. If you have seen our previous post, we have made a little progress following the aft baggage compartment modification for the wheelchair.
I guess some will look at the side of the fuselage and say ?what the?? Well this is to give Cliff easier access to the cockpit (door to be fitted soon). Yes aeronautical engineers in Sydney have crunched the numbers, this is not a modification taken lightly.
The aircraft is being designed to be flown by a paraplegic, so hand controls, wheelchair storage and access have been looked at during the entire project.
I am expecting the completion of the door mod by Christmas, then on to the hand control.
This will be similar to a helicopter collective, with a couple of changes. Up down for rudder control with elec trim switch, twist grip throttle and differential brake control. Yep a few hours in this one too.
After all these mods it will still have the same controls for able-bodied pilots. I still prefer the pedals and a throttle quadrant. Sorry Cliff.
Will post again soon
Safe Flying
Mark