RVs and turbulence

airrap · #1 02-14-2007, 02:15 PM

Am considering the purchase of a flying RV. How do the two seat models handle turbulence? Thanks for the help.
Eric

pierre smith · #2 02-14-2007, 02:33 PM

Hi Eric,
At the speeds these little rockets fly, rough air can be very bumpy, kinda jolting at times. However, with their climb rate at or above 2000 FPM, smooth air can usually be reached quickly, as in 5 minutes

The short wings can be rolled easily by turbulence but then again, the highly responsive ailerons on all the models allow quick returns to level if the wings are upset.

The comforting feature I find with the 4,6,7 and 8 models is the structure being designed for 6 G's anytime....a nice reassurance.

Regards,

robertahegy · #3 02-14-2007, 05:12 PM

Dittos on what Pierre stated. Very solid cross country planes able to get around weather in a good hurry.

Roberta

AlexPeterson · #4 02-14-2007, 06:19 PM

I crotch strap makes them much more comfortable in turbulence, IMHO. I have found what the others have said to be true, but being cinched down really makes turbulence a non-issue. I have ridden in RV's without the 5th point, and at least for me, it is uncomfortable. I'm speaking specifically about the side by side versions (the lap belt angles are sub-optimal without the crotch strap). Don't recall the lap belt angles on the front/back models.

Larco · #5 02-14-2007, 06:45 PM

They are a definitely a rough ride at times BUT if you pull the power back and slow down it's not so bad. We don't like turbulence but wouldn't trade for anything. 1600 Hrs in an RV6. Larry

RV6_flyer · #6 02-14-2007, 07:20 PM

If I remember correclty, an RV-6 at 1,600 pounds has the same wing loading as a Cessna 172 at 2,300 pounds. At the same speed, they should have the same ride. Since the RV travels about 50% faster in cruise, the ride will be worse if you do not slow down.

No one likes turbulence but I would rather be in my RV than any other General Aviation aircraft when I enounter turbulence. I have seen turbulence that registerd 5.5 on the 'G' meter. Once slowed down, the ride was ok. Once it smoothed out, I increased speed back to cruise.

When I put the RV back in its hangar after the last flight, it has 1,978.9 hours on the hobbs meter.

dan · #7 02-14-2007, 10:41 PM

I'll echo what was said earlier about structural integrity -- lots of psychological comfort there.

Everybody seems to be happy in general with how RVs ride in turbulence compared to other planes. I'm on the other side of the fence. The Mooneys I used to fly had a noticeably "better" ride imho since they didn't really have any adverse tendencies in bumps.

My RV-7 and several other RVs I've flown in have a tendency to fishtail in turbulence. Not all that badly most of the time, but enough that I feel the need to keep both feet firmly on the pedals and proactively dampen out any yawing action. I've heard too many theories as to why this happens...could be any number of aerodynamic effects. FWIW, I notice that it's worse right after I lube my controls. Don't tell me to add friction in the control systems...

Since the short wing RVs tend to be more or less neutrally stable in roll, in turbulence a bump can and will leave you with some degree of bank. The short wing RVs are NOT hands-off & feet-off airplanes in turbulence. Sure, most of the time you can just let go and it'll eventually end up wings level, but often it won't. Leave in a little bank, the nose is dropping slightly...enough for the altitude to deviate. Speed picks up, now the nose is coming up...another bump, back into a bank, nose is coming down. It's not unstable per se, but it does require attention (some just flip on the autopilot).

I'm just being honest about my ONLY pet peeve about the RV's handling. I *love* everything about it EXCEPT for the "ok" (but not great) ride in turbulence.

gmcjetpilot · #8 02-15-2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airrap

Am considering the purchase of a flying RV. How do the two seat models handle turbulence? Thanks for the help.
Eric

Very nicely. I flew Cessna's in turbulence so bad it tweaked the door frame enough to pop the door open.

A friends wife flew with him may be a 1000 hours in spam cans. When he got his RV-6 flying the wife made comment how much more comfortable the RV was in turbulence how it felt solid.

The RV is not a long plane and will fish-tail in turbulence like many planes. Fly a Cessna 310 twin with fuel in tip tanks, oh my gosh. The thing wallows around the sky with the slightest turbulence. One trick RV drivers is rest your feet on the rudder peddles verses letting it float.

RV's are not immune to turbulence. I take it you never flew a RV? What makes it a joy to fly in smooth air transfers to bumpy air. Go fly a Cessna or Piper than get into a RV. Its like driving a 1970's station waggon or truck verses a late model sports car. RV's just handle better in any condition.

One thing that helps is high wing loading (more weight per square foot of wing area). RV's are not particular high wing loaded but a tad more than a Cessna C172 or about the same at gross. So the RV will cut through the bumps a little better. The heaver the plane the better for riding the bumps.

Jets handle turbulence better because of high wing loading. A RV will bounce around, but with excellent handling and controls giving a solid feel, the RV is reassuring in the bumps.

Deuskid · #9 02-15-2007, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierre smith

Hi Eric,
At the speeds these little rockets fly, rough air can be very bumpy, kinda jolting at times. However, with their climb rate at or above 2000 FPM, smooth air can usually be reached quickly, as in 5 minutes

The short wings can be rolled easily by turbulence but then again, the highly responsive ailerons on all the models allow quick returns to level if the wings are upset.

The comforting feature I find with the 4,6,7 and 8 models is the structure being designed for 6 G's anytime....a nice reassurance.

Regards,

I went to Van's website but could not find any info on the 9 and G's under specs or performance.

I know it is now designed for aerob. [and I've seen threads here talking about light aerob.] and I know it has a larger wing but in turbulence does it fly substantially different than the other RVs?

How much different is the 9 than the rest in bumpy weather?

Thanks

John

terrykohler · #10 02-15-2007, 05:37 AM

Not sure what you mean when you ask how they handle turbulence. Wing loading can be compared to a boats ability to cut thru waves. You also need to look at roll rate to get an idea of the stability of the vessel and its response to control movements, whether induced by the pilot or the environment. Finally, you should also consider the maneuvering speed of the aircraft. If the AC can handle heavy turbulence at 120kts, perhaps you should consider your own tolerance level.