Part 2 of my RV-7A Aerobatics Lesson

[WillyEyeBall]

Eric is about right on the initial positive Gs being about 4.5 and between 0.5 and zero Gs at the top for the way I fly a competition loop in my RV-4. When I do an inverted loop, I only push negative 3 Gs and try to get most of the rotation at the top to minimize the negative Gs at the bottom. It definitely looks like a small case "L", but that's not for competition. On use of the rudder in a loop, I'm really not aware of what my feet are doing, but what I see, so I am putting in some rudder at the top to prevent yaw. When I do a hammerhead, which is initially a 1/4 loop, I'll progressively add right rudder on the vertical up line to keep the left wing from dropping or dragging. Aerobatics are fun, and trying to make them "perfect" is even more challenging and FUN.
Bill McLean
RV-4 slider
lower AL

[TheHDPilot]

Originally Posted by WillyEyeBall

Eric is about right on the initial positive Gs being about 4.5 and between 0.5 and zero Gs at the top for the way I fly a competition loop in my RV-4. When I do an inverted loop, I only push negative 3 Gs and try to get most of the rotation at the top to minimize the negative Gs at the bottom. It definitely looks like a small case "L", but that's not for competition. On use of the rudder in a loop, I'm really not aware of what my feet are doing, but what I see, so I am putting in some rudder at the top to prevent yaw. When I do a hammerhead, which is initially a 1/4 loop, I'll progressively add right rudder on the vertical up line to keep the left wing from dropping or dragging. Aerobatics are fun, and trying to make them "perfect" is even more challenging and FUN.
Bill McLean
RV-4 slider
lower AL

Good Info Bill! The few times i got 'carried away' and pulled back at 4G I was told i didn't have to hit it so hard. 4.5G for loops, that would take some getting use to.
I'm dumbfounded to think my loops, despite feeling like a circle, are really looking like that lower case script 'L'. It would really be nice to have a way to see what all my maneuvers look like from the 3rd party perspective. But doing things up at 4000'+ AGL would require a really long lens for a ground photographer.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by sandifer

Pilots flying solo aerobatics should be able to recover any type of loss of control.

Was kind of lurking and watching this thread develop, its nice to see a thread run out that doesn't leave me scratching my head.

I especially like the quoted line, above. When one can botch a maneuver and recover with an inner monologue around the line of "whoopsie!", as opposed to dread and uncertainty they are most likely ready to continue exploring the envelope solo. I usually swear...another reason not to invest in the audio cable for the GoPro.

[MarkW]

Gene,
The only way I have found to get a good view of your loop is to compete.
I thought mine were round until I got some coaching while in the box.
The primary routine is very easy and a blast to fly in competition. All the guys are great and will help. Find a IAC chapter in your area.
They also have a rule that will let you compete with an instructor aboard during competition. (no passengers though)
Our local chapter even has a practice weekend almost every month where they open the box at the airport. Good way to get critiquing on you flight from a pro on the ground using a radio to straighten it out right now.
And the RV loop is best above 4g's.

[ronschreck]

Eric and Bill are right: loops are not going to be round if your initial pull is less than 3.5 G and I like 4 to 4.5.

There is no reason to pull power on the back side of the loop as Eric has pointed out. Properly flown you will come out of the loop at the entry altitude with slightly less airspeed while maintaining full power.

I maintain firewall power throughout the entire Sportsman routine except when slowing for the spin entry. A loss of energy (kinetic + potential) in one maneuver means there is less energy to start the next one. This results in a routine that loses altitude. I doubt that any RV has the power to gain altitude during a typical aerobatic routine so pulling power at any point is just adding to the problem. I typically start my routines at 2500 feet and end up about 800 feet lower after 10 or 12 maneuvers. I am working on a 6-figure Sportsman free sequence. Each figure is more complex than those in the known sequence so they eat up more altitude. The end result is still about a 800 foot loss of altitude.



Thanks to Eric Sandifer for helping me develop this sequence. (Eric, I ditched the 4-point on the rev half Cuban exit in favor of a 1 1/2 roll with an inverted sequence finish. Figured if I'm going against the tide with a downwind entry I may as well finish unconventionally as well.) I don't expect to win with this sequence. I want to show what the RV is really capable of doing. Kinda like Bill's inverted spin.

[sandifer]

Originally Posted by ronschreck

I don't expect to win with this sequence. I want to show what the RV is really capable of doing.

Heck Ron, you could fly that while having milk and Oreos.