RV Article in IAC Mag

sandifer · #1 09-16-2015, 09:26 AM

This month's Sport Aerobatics features an excellent no-nonsense article by VAFer Patric "Balls" Coggin where he nails some of the issues surrounding the cautious apprehension many RV pilots carry on the subject of getting involved with competition acro. One correction - RVs have the same G rating as most Pitts' (+6/-3). Hopefully this piece will be a positive nudge for some folks.

And before anyone thinks that one must have been (or be) a fighter pilot to be adept at this kind of flying, I expect Patric "Balls" and Ron "Smokey" (two of our main RV pilot advocates) would be the first to admit that there is little relation between their fighter background and the stick and rudder techniques needed to present a clean sequence to the judges.

Nice job Patric!

Hawg Driver · #2 09-16-2015, 01:53 PM

Appreciate the complement - I've received a few over the last few days, but I must be at the very end of the distro list as I just got my copy last night.

I make it a point to not make hollow offers - if anyone does have any questions on getting involved, I'm just an e-mail away.

balls@hawgaviation.com

Saville · #3 09-16-2015, 02:15 PM

It's something to think about. My acro instructor has been trying to get me into competition acro for literally years. I found the cost of the practice in a rented Super Decathlon to be prohibitive..I had better uses for the cash.

Last time he tried was a few months ago and I told him I was buying a -8. He said use that!

My chute arrives this week................

SHIPCHIEF · #4 09-16-2015, 05:21 PM

I just picked up my Softie parachute today!

I'm in!

ronschreck · #5 09-17-2015, 04:16 AM

Thank you DR for posting Ball's article on the front page of VAF. And thanks to Eric Sandifer for posting it to VAF in the first place. (Why didn't I think of that?) There have been several articles about RV aerobatics in the IAC magazine over the past few years and Patric "Balls" Cogin's is one of the best. Unfortunately, there are very few RV pilots who belong to the IAC so fine articles like this get read by only a very few RV pilots. I hope to change that. Van has agreed to write an article on RV aerobatics for publication in the EAA magazine, Sport Aviation. Not sure when that will be published but it will be a welcome addition to the growing movement of RV aerobatic competition.

Right now there are only five RV pilots actively competing in IAC events in this country. In the past two months I have recruited two more that are preparing to compete and when I hear of others like Gregg and Scott who are buying parachutes and practicing their craft I am optimistic that this movement is catching on.

I hope more of you will come join the fun.

ChiefPilot · #6 09-17-2015, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronschreck

Right now there are only five RV pilots actively competing in IAC events in this country.

I think there's at least one more than that. The chapter 78 president is two hangars down from me and got me plugged into IAC earlier this year.

And I'd suggest there isn't really anything a -4 or -8 can do that a -6A can't :-)

Still, of the dozen or so RVs based at KSGS, there's maybe only one other that has any interest in IAC for a variety of reasons. It would seem there really used to be some bad vibes between the IAC community and the RV community. I'm glad that's changing.

It's also rather difficult to practice for an event when there's few other folks around. After all, the "egg" I fly when chasing another aircraft around the vertical turn circle wouldn't pass for a loop, and being able to stay in the box is difficult without ground observers. Technology can help with the latter item, but not sure how to address the former without someone on the ground providing feedback.

ronschreck · #7 09-17-2015, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

I think there's at least one more than that. The IAC Chapter 78 president is two hangars down from me and got me plugged into IAC earlier this year.

And I'd suggest there isn't really anything a -4 or -8 can do that a -6A can't :-)

Still, of the dozen or so RVs based at KSGS, there's maybe only one other that has any interest in IAC for a variety of reasons. It would seem there really used to be some bad vibes between the IAC community and the RV community. I'm glad that's changing.

Who is the 6th? I'd like to know him. FWIW, the two new recruits that I mentioned are both RV-6 pilots!

DanH · #8 09-17-2015, 06:47 AM

I enjoy aerobatics very much, but don't do figures a lot because it so often results in back pain lasting several days.

RV seating is upright, and positions long legs with the knees high, about the worst possible arrangement for G's. Given that a high percentage of adult males report spinal issues (and yes, the typical age of an RV owner), I suspect it may be one reason for low IAC participation.

Sometimes I dream about designing an airplane from scratch, and every mental sketch includes a reclining seat position to reduce loads on the lower back.

Is it in fact a common problem?

sandifer · #9 09-17-2015, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

It would seem there really used to be some bad vibes between the IAC community and the RV community. I'm glad that's changing.

The only possible rumblings I've ever heard of took place about 30 years ago when some RV-3 wing failures were showing up, and it could very well have been that many in the acro community did not perceive the RV as a worthy design for the mission. So I wouldn't say things are changing, I'd say the issue is long dead and buried.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

It's also rather difficult to practice for an event when there's few other folks around. After all, the "egg" I fly when chasing another aircraft around the vertical turn circle wouldn't pass for a loop, and being able to stay in the box is difficult without ground observers. Technology can help with the latter item, but not sure how to address the former without someone on the ground providing feedback.

It is true that you (and all pilots) stand little chance of scoring well without good help from the ground. True of all the figures, not just loops. Contact IAC 78, the chapter in your part of the country. Many of us do not have experienced IACers within easy reach for critiquing. You might have to make a short XC flight. You have an RV right?

http://www.iac78.org

ChiefPilot · #10 09-17-2015, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandifer

Contact IAC 78, the chapter in your part of the country. Many of us do not have experienced IACers within easy reach for critiquing. You might have to make a short XC flight. You have an RV right?

http://www.iac78.org

Justin Hickson (chapter 78's president and super cool guy) is two hangars down and I've been to a couple of contests to see how they work - one just to watch, another to act as a judge's recorder.

Thanks!
Brad