This Was Fun... aerobatics video

[David-aviator]

Originally Posted by groucho

NOT INSTRUCTION: The majority of the rolls in the video are a cross between an aileron roll & barrel rolls. They wouldn't get any points at an aerobatic competition, but they are easy & generally keep the engine running. I like starting at over 160mph IAS with the airplane trimmed for level flight, then pulling about 2g to 10-15deg nose high. Once I'm 10-15deg nose high, I relax all back stick pressure so that the airplane is back at 1g (or slightly less). That last step is critical for not ending up excessively nose low. If you are 15deg nose high & start your roll at 2g, you'll end up pointed at the ground by the time you are done. Start your roll at 1g. Fly your roll at 1g. End your roll at 1g. From there, roll with stick only with the rudders centered. For roll input, I generally increase side pressure on the stick until I feel this stick force change from smooth force to a slight buffet (little bit of separation on the ailerons). The danger here (and common trend for new guys) is not getting enough roll rate. If in doubt, push the stick to the stop. Continue the roll until the plane is back to wings level. Once wings level, you'll find yourself 10-15deg nose low. Center the stick in roll then smoothly increase backstick pressure to approximately 2g. Relax all backstick pressure once the plane is level. Smile.

Bryan, thanks for the explanation on doing a positive G roll in the RV. I have not done much upside down flight since leaving the military many years ago, one gets rusty on this stuff over the years.

I did a roll not long ago from staight and level flight and was surprised how quick the nose dropped during the inverted part. One is inclined to do a bit of forward stick to keep it up but for sure the engine would quit. Pulling up 15-20 degrees before the roll is the obvious answer as is keeping it coming around once the manuever is started, like use those wonderful ailerons.

The EZ's were not good doing this stuff, plenty of elevator but the roll rate was mighty lazy. I got tired of cleaning oil off the outside of the airplane and quit doing it.

The video is great. Enjoy this stuff while you can. The middle ear really gets sensitive after medicare kicks in.

[Ralph Kramden]

Originally Posted by groucho

Of course! I might make an "entertainment" series...

I had only really thought about an aerobatic series. You're right though, there's probably interest in all aspects of RV flying...from takeoff to landing & everything in between. There's a lot out there on building, but not nearly as much on the actual flying. Too bad I don't have an ATP, CFI & 50 years of flying experience.

OK, how about this. We get some well known builder with a "video capable" RV sit as an "interviewer / host / passenger / student" while someone like Rich Stowell or some other high instruction time aerobatic/upset recovery / emergency maneuver expert gives instruction in the RV - from basic flying through test flight through aerobatics... this could be big money for someone - I think I'd be willing to pay $300 for a couple of hours of high quality instruction video in an RV - and there are probably thousands of others out there building that would buy it too... Get the EAA involved for video production perhaps... it would be big I tell you...

--Ralph

[flyeyes]

Originally Posted by David-aviator

I did a roll not long ago from staight and level flight and was surprised how quick the nose dropped during the inverted part. One is inclined to do a bit of forward stick to keep it up but for sure the engine would quit. Pulling up 15-20 degrees before the roll is the obvious answer as is keeping it coming around once the manuever is started, like use those wonderful ailerons.

You've identified the key part of this, as I understand it. I'm not a CFI, but have had this pounded into my rather thick head repeatedly. There are three really important things:

1)Pull the nose up enough before you start. The slower the roll, the higher it needs to be.

2) neutralize the elevators while rolling. Keeping a little positive "g" means the nose will make a little corkscrew on the horizon. Keeping a lot of "g" means the nose makes a really big circle, and winds up pointing straight down at some point.

3) Keep the aileron input in. Many people at first tend to relax when they get upside down, and the nose then drops straight down, where the ground is. This is a good reason to have an instructor in the back seat to slap the back of your head.

Don't try this alone for the first time--it's really easy to screw something up. Once learned however, it's easy and fun. I rarely fly my airplane without at least one roll.

Here is a very short clip of the tail during a roll. It's hard to see on the compressed web video, but if you look closely, you can see the elevator go up for the initial pull, then neutralize just before beginning the roll. After 360 degrees of roll, the nose is below the horizon (tail above) and the elevator is used to recover from the shallow dive.

Note that the rudder barely moves--in the RVs, it really doesn't need to unless you're pretty slow.

[groucho]

Originally Posted by flyeyes

Don't try this alone for the first time--it's really easy to screw something up. Once learned however, it's easy and fun.

That's a great safety tip. Learning from someone who knows aerobatics will make things a lot safer.

Have fun,

[N941WR]

Those are some great shots! I would thank you for posting them but now I need to go and order a short wing RV. Tell me again why I built a -9?

[Liberty Ship]

Absolutely loved the video and the music really pulls it together. Well done!

[groucho]

Thanks guys. Bill, I'm not sure why you built a -9. Seriously, they're all great airplanes...the -6 is still a long wing compared to the Rockets, remember!?

[Yukon]

OK.......the 9 is going to have a hangarmate! Wonderful video!

[tonyjohnson]

As a pilot building an 8A and with limited aerobatic experience I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge here. I have rolled RVs a few times (Thanks Doug for the rolls in Flash) but I never understood the details of the manuver as you explained them. I hope that you will share more with us on the topic of aerobatics in an RV.

I think that Doug has a section here for "articles". It would be great to have a place for articles on aerobatics so we aerobatic novices could benefit from the knowledge and experience of those who are experts at it. Understanding of course that what we read here is not a substitute for actual instruction, but it does provide knowledge that will make actual instruction more meaningful.

By the way, why do you do a 2G pullup to raise the nose instead of a more gentle climb (other than it is more fun)? I suspect that it has something to do with "loading" although I am not clear about that concept.

Perhaps you will be kind enough to tell us about the loops next.....then maybe cuban 8's etc.

Thanks again and keep posting.

[groucho]

Originally Posted by tonyjohnson

By the way, why do you do a 2G pullup to raise the nose instead of a more gentle climb (other than it is more fun)? I suspect that it has something to do with "loading" although I am not clear about that concept.

Thanks Tony. The g on the pullup for the roll is totally up to you. 1.5-2g gets you there fairly quickly without losing much energy prior to your roll. Much more than 2 & you might overshoot your aimpoint (i.e. start to get sloppy).

I have some tail-modifying to do on my plane. Once that's done I'll get things moving on some more videos. Soon!