mkbreezy
Member
All on this forum are certainly aware of the ongoing issues with the "A" model nose gear failures. Airplanes upside down, or on their noses with bent props, and engines needing teardown, not to mention the distinct possibility of personal injury.
When Allan Nimmo posted his videos of the Nose Job, I was very intrigued, because I did not want my RV-9A to end up upside down. I bought it, and have been flying with it for about a week now. Before I get to far, I should say that I am not an engineer, however I am a long time corporate pilot with experience in many different aircraft from J3 (owned one) to the G450 (for sure didn't own that). So my 40 years of flying told me that this was likely going to work.
I have owned my 9A for about 6 months. I purchased it, and have since removed the Blue Mountain stuff and installed a Dynon D1000. I have a a short not too smooth strip at my farm that is where I have wanted the airplane to live. Lots of concerns with the nose gear.
So here is where I am. I purchased the kit, and it was delivered promptly and in good shape. Installed it on my airplane, which went just as the video indicated. There were a couple of steps that were not shown in the video, and I have suggested to Allan that he include a very brief instruction sheet. The thing is really very easy to put on.
I have now made about a dozen landings at home, all with absolutely no issues. The slow speed that I must use means that the nose will come down quickly and fairly hard upon touchdown. So far NO problem. I have inspected the gear leg and looked very closely at the engine mount after each landing, and see no issues. I have seen a mark on the gear leg where the brace has touched during landing, which tells me it is doing what was intended. Looking at the tracks in the grass, I have run over several ant hills, through small depressions, and farm equipment tracks, and other non smooth stuff. I think any of this stuff would cause an issue for a non braced gear leg.
I certainly am not going to take it off to see if I go splat in here, so it is not a scientific test. That being said, I think it is likely the best thing yet to happen to the A models, and I would highly recommend to all of you that you get this piece of mechanical insurance.
When Allan Nimmo posted his videos of the Nose Job, I was very intrigued, because I did not want my RV-9A to end up upside down. I bought it, and have been flying with it for about a week now. Before I get to far, I should say that I am not an engineer, however I am a long time corporate pilot with experience in many different aircraft from J3 (owned one) to the G450 (for sure didn't own that). So my 40 years of flying told me that this was likely going to work.
I have owned my 9A for about 6 months. I purchased it, and have since removed the Blue Mountain stuff and installed a Dynon D1000. I have a a short not too smooth strip at my farm that is where I have wanted the airplane to live. Lots of concerns with the nose gear.
So here is where I am. I purchased the kit, and it was delivered promptly and in good shape. Installed it on my airplane, which went just as the video indicated. There were a couple of steps that were not shown in the video, and I have suggested to Allan that he include a very brief instruction sheet. The thing is really very easy to put on.
I have now made about a dozen landings at home, all with absolutely no issues. The slow speed that I must use means that the nose will come down quickly and fairly hard upon touchdown. So far NO problem. I have inspected the gear leg and looked very closely at the engine mount after each landing, and see no issues. I have seen a mark on the gear leg where the brace has touched during landing, which tells me it is doing what was intended. Looking at the tracks in the grass, I have run over several ant hills, through small depressions, and farm equipment tracks, and other non smooth stuff. I think any of this stuff would cause an issue for a non braced gear leg.
I certainly am not going to take it off to see if I go splat in here, so it is not a scientific test. That being said, I think it is likely the best thing yet to happen to the A models, and I would highly recommend to all of you that you get this piece of mechanical insurance.