Hooked on Grass....
Does anyone have knowledge on long term effects for a RV-4 on grass? My grass strip is not the smoothest but not rough. I'm asking if I can expect damage occurring after extended use and what should I be looking for?
Ed,
I have fairly extensive experience (25 years) operating off grass with my RV4, HR2 and current RVX with no ill effects. My home strip is a private 2000' very soft turf strip with 50' obstacles at both ends. I also have sojourned to the Idaho back country and Montana numerous times and landed on roads and gravel. My RV4 is still flying with over 2000 hours, and still has no cracks in the engine mount, lower longerons or tail spring attach bulkhead. I did build in the heavy weldments and had short gear. Doesn't matter, my Rocket has Long Titanium Legs and it had no issues nor does my current RVX which I'm using longer RV4 legs mated to an RV6 engine mount.
Here are some tips I have used over the past 25 years.
1. For normal turf the stock early RV4 pants and 500X5 tires work fine, you can reinforce the lower rear of the pant with Kevlar for added strength. Don't remove them as they keep rocks and pebbles off the tail during takeoff. I like the Pressure Recovery pants mounted so that in level flight attitude you have 4" ground clearance at the rear of the tire. Use 30 PSI in the tires for best results. I also replaced the aluminum attach brackets with thin chrome molly steel as fire ant mounds tend to break aluminum...
2. Bigger Tires really help on soft turf and mud. Thanks to Steve Sampson I began using Desser 380X150X5 tires underneath my PR pants and the difference is noticeable, especially when it it gooey in FL (like right now) 30PSI for them too. This thread covers it very well:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=27980&highlight=bushwheels+rocket
3. Learn to do bush pilot rolling takeoffs and run-ups as they save prop stains and dings and reduce takeoff roll. For very short strips I use the full flaps at tail rotation technique, get airborne and slowly retract them (need manual flaps) which allows you to takeoff and accelerate in ground effect on very rough or soft surfaces.
4. Landings on very short (less than 1000' long) I use a 3 point full flap 60MPH(55Knots) approach power on tail low and fly to a power on touchdown, full aft stick and light braking.For FP props set your engine idle at 550-600 for best STOL approaches. Longer grass strips and pavement I always wheels land for better forward visibility, braking and style points.
Overall, the RV4 is not a bad STOL sport plane, with techniques and practice you can utilize a great number of unimproved surfaces.
Email me off line for any
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V/R
Smokey