VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-7/7A
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 07-10-2013, 05:30 PM
RV6_flyer's Avatar
RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,507
Default Step

One of my friends with an RV-6 purchased a folding step for his girlfriend so that she can have an easier time getting in his airplane.

I liked it so much, I purchased one to help my 82-year old mother get in and out of my RV-6 for her first trip with me in the airplane to AirVenture 2013.

The step folded and ready to go in the airplane.


The step setup ready to help any PAX in or out of the airplane.
__________________
Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6
Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012

To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-10-2013, 05:40 PM
roadrunner20's Avatar
roadrunner20 roadrunner20 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bay Pines, FL (based @ KCLW)
Posts: 1,955
Default

Yep. I used to carry one just like that for my wife.
__________________
Danny "RoadRunner" Landry
Morphed RV7(formally 7A), N20DL, PnP Pilot
1190+ hours
2019 Donation Paid
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-10-2013, 10:08 PM
Greg Arehart's Avatar
Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
Default

I put steps on the RV9A when it was a 9A. Since converting to a 9, I'm still very happy to have the steps. They help a lot when kneeling on the wing working on various things. And my (short) wife really still likes them rather than trying to step up onto the wing.

Greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-10-2013, 11:26 PM
Steve Barnes Steve Barnes is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 580
Default I have them on my plane

I put an 80" prop and longer gear legs to accommodate it. The steps are very helpful for short legged passengers.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-10-2013, 11:39 PM
Snowflake's Avatar
Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,932
Default

A local builder put steps on his -9 intentionally. Apart from making the step up a little easier, it helps with giving looky-loos at fly-ins something other than your flaps to bang their shins on. After they hit the step, they are a little more careful about getting close to the flap.
__________________
Rob Prior
1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 07-11-2013, 06:56 AM
JDRhodes JDRhodes is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Taylorsville, GA
Posts: 748
Default

The -9 came as a -9A project and already had the step brackets installed and holes in the skin, so the steps were installed in the taildragger version.

Clearance is fine - no issues. Find them useful when going up (and more so with the old, young, or short people) but I find them awkward to use going down. The geometry is such that it's hard to miss the flap trailing edge when you're aiming for the step as you step down. I generally go straight from wing walk to the ground on the dismount, and I always advise my passengers to do the same.
__________________
Jeff Rhodes - Taylorsville, GA
RV-9, 7 - going fast
BC-12D - going slow
jrhodes@v1salesmgt.com
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 07-11-2013, 06:58 AM
JDRhodes JDRhodes is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Taylorsville, GA
Posts: 748
Default

- But... Flaps are different on the -9 than on the short-wing airplanes, so this may be part of the issue.

I like flaps down for mount dismount on the -7, but flaps up on the -9.
__________________
Jeff Rhodes - Taylorsville, GA
RV-9, 7 - going fast
BC-12D - going slow
jrhodes@v1salesmgt.com
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 07-11-2013, 07:16 AM
Sam Buchanan's Avatar
Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
been here awhile
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeyDale View Post
I am converting a 7a to a 7. The project had steps installed. I am wondering if they will be useful and worth the extra weight or should I take them off. I have not had the opportunity to be around RVs enough to know or have an opinion. Also not sure if ground clearance would be an issue. Can anyone advise?
Several years ago I installed a step on the passenger side of my RV-6. One of my passengers was having an increasingly difficult time, especially the step from the wing to the ground.

But the standard step was too long, too close to the ground and just looked goofy. I cut three inches out of the step, put a piece of 4130 tubing inside the streamline tubing for reinforcement, and welded everything back together. The step is now positioned halfway between the ground and wing and looks like it fits the plane.

I asked Vans if they could have their vendor make a few of these "taildragger" steps, I think the increasing average age of RVers would sell a few sets each year. They didn't think too much of my suggestion but I suspect Russ McCutcheon could set up a jig and weld up a few if we asked.
__________________
Sam Buchanan
RV-6
Fokker D.VII replica
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 07-11-2013, 08:39 AM
edbooth edbooth is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Trenton, SC
Posts: 117
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RV6_flyer View Post
One of my friends with an RV-6 purchased a folding step for his girlfriend so that she can have an easier time getting in his airplane.

I liked it so much, I purchased one to help my 82-year old mother get in and out of my RV-6 for her first trip with me in the airplane to AirVenture 2013.

The step folded and ready to go in the airplane.


The step setup ready to help any PAX in or out of the airplane.
We use one of these also. I put a small lanyard on it so the wife can pull it up after she steps on the wing....works great
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 07-11-2013, 09:49 AM
turbo's Avatar
turbo turbo is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Stuart, FL /Hartford, CT/Virgin Gorda,BVI
Posts: 3,122
Default

on my A model i am down to one on the copilot side. the other was removed years ago when it started cracking at the angle. when i feel old i board on the right side, but usually the knee building exercise helps when i feel great and go up my side. choices are good.
__________________
TURBO YES =VAF= Payed Jan2019
Ed D'Arcy
RV6-A 5,200+ hrs, R-44 1,600 hrs, Helicycle 320 hrs, gyro sold,35,000 miles flown in 2015
Stuart, Fl / S WINDSOR,Ct / Virgin Gorda, BVI - under major repair from hurricane damage
VAF #840 EAA AOPA FAC FABA QB SPA
addicted pickle ball player
https://i.postimg.cc/tn3h4svg/IMG-3101.jpg
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:46 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.