Slider vs. tip up

[High_Flyer]

Tip-up, because I'm buliding my -7 to fly, not to taxi with the canopy open
Yes it can be a bit on the warm side during the limited time spent on the ground, but once airborne the unrestricted visibility of the tip-up is fantastic.

[Neal@F14]

Originally Posted by FORANE

... I would consider a plane with wood prop if the price allowed for the replacement prop I know I would eventually be installing.
Do these models have a tendency to be nose heavy?

Actually the -6/-7 models with wood or composite fixed pitch props, and if they also have an O-320 engine, tend to get tail heavy instead.

[rzbill]

Originally Posted by FORANE

The plane will be used all weather.

If that is true, then there really is no choice. Slider.

I speak as a tip-up driver that still has leaks and wants to fly IFR. If you build by the plans, a tip-up MUST leak at the hinges. My hinges no longer leak due to mods I have done but the misfit I have at the left and right curves remains a small leak path. It is small but I will not be satisfied until it is zero. I did a 180 on my last weather flight because of water coming in. Very unnerving when all your bacon is riding on electronics. It was hard to hold my composure, get out of the rain and get on the ground.

On the flip side, I have ridden in multiple sliders. They all rattled and blew air on your neck and I felt claustrophobic so I am not an automatic convert. I like tipups better except for the d***ed leak paths.

[Jesse]

I've never flown in a tip up, but I love the -9A slider in the Florida heat. Love to taxi with the canopy back. I'm used to the -10, so my visibility is already better than I am used to.

[Ironflight]

As someone who didn't choose a side-by-side (I married into one) and came out of a Grumman Yankee before entering the RV world, I was a bit worried about the tip-up in the Texas heat. I didn't need to - I have felt that I get as much cool air in the tip-up in the rest position as I did in the Yankee with the slider open on the ground. Granted, in the real heat, NEITHER is going to be truly comfortable - but subjectively, having experienced both styles for a lot of hours in extreme heat, I feel that they are about equal for ventilation.

Visibility wise, as has been said, the Tip-up has less stuff in your way.

Having done two panel upgrades on the -6, I can say that it is awfully nice to get the canopy out of the way - but I still end up on my back underneath in the little cave....

[n5lp]

I think it is kind of like handed down wisdom for many other aviation things. Stories are repeated by those with no first hand experience.

The tip-up RV-6/7s are not uncomfortable on the ground in hot temperatures. With the canopy propped open they are fine. I have about fourteen years of experience in a very hot climate to support this. The sliders are also fine for ventilation. The tip-up drawbacks on the ground are that you have to be aware of winds slamming the canopy closed and you can't taxi in with your arm sticking out, although I can't figure out how you can do that anyway, as you need one hand on the throttle and the other holding the stick back. That is it for ground drawbacks. There are great advantages like an unobstructed view in the air.

RV-10s can be uncomfortable on the ground in warm weather, based on experience, but no one seems to talk about that. The little side-by-side two seaters are fine for ventilation with either canopy configuration.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by n5lp

The tip-up RV-6/7s are not uncomfortable on the ground in hot temperatures. With the canopy propped open they are fine. I have about fourteen years of experience in a very hot climate to support this.

20 plus years experience in Texas heat. No regrets!

[Brantel]

It can get warm sometimes. I use the partially locked open method to help. Not as good as a slider with the arm over the side but good enough.

[FORANE]

Originally Posted by rzbill

If that is true, then there really is no choice. Slider.

I speak as a tip-up driver that still has leaks and wants to fly IFR. If you build by the plans, a tip-up MUST leak at the hinges. My hinges no longer leak due to mods I have done but the misfit I have at the left and right curves remains a small leak path. It is small but I will not be satisfied until it is zero. I did a 180 on my last weather flight because of water coming in. Very unnerving when all your bacon is riding on electronics. It was hard to hold my composure, get out of the rain and get on the ground.

On the flip side, I have ridden in multiple sliders. They all rattled and blew air on your neck and I felt claustrophobic so I am not an automatic convert. I like tipups better except for the d***ed leak paths.

This is concerning. I was leaning toward tip up. Yes definitely true that intended use will be all weather IFR with ice as about the only exception.
Do the tip ups suffer from water coming in on the ground if tied down without a cover also?

[n5lp]

Originally Posted by FORANE

This is concerning. I was leaning toward tip up. Yes definitely true that intended use will be all weather IFR with ice as about the only exception.
Do the tip ups suffer from water coming in on the ground if tied down without a cover also?

It is a possibility that is easily remedied with a bit of electrical tape.