Nosewheel vs. Tailwheel on rough terrain

[eric_marsh]

The RV-6 kit that I purchased has the hardware for both a nose wheel and a tailwheel setup. I'm more inclined to want to go with the nose wheel because of increased visibility on taxiing take-off and landing as well as to avoid any insurance issues.

Safety is high on my list of priorities and in another thread I see that there have been a number of nose wheel related incidents. But here's the big question. If you take a look at this map of my field you can see that it's probably big enough for me to use as my own landing strip. It's a little rough, with some small (2') mesquite growing. I shred them periodically but they grow back.

So if I should decide to create my own landing strip is there a preference for nose or tail wheels on rough terrain?

[Sid Lambert]

Tailwheel is preferred for rough runways.

Insurance costs will be the same on RV-#A as RV-#. The first year may be higher but none thereafter.

Visibility in the -A is better but no RV is so blind it's dangerous.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Sid Lambert

\Visibility in the -A is better but no RV is so blind it's dangerous.

However, it's a fact, that with a tailwheel RV.............there may be objects in the path, that you may miss..............and clobber enough to do extensive damage. This has been proven by a "well known" forum member....

The Pitt's I used for aerobatic training did the same thing. Hit a small tractor used to tug aircraft, when it ran out of gas on the ramp. The Pitt's has less forward visibility than the RV, though.

It's really a tradeoff when making decisions. Tail wheel for rougher strips, or nosewheel for much better sight beyond the cowl, and some advantage in crosswinds.

My next plane will be a high wing tail dragger for "back country". Just a different mission altogether.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[Ironflight]

While there are nose wheel airplanes out there that work well on rough fields, I personally consider the RV nose wheel to be a bit delicate for routine operations from rough strips. Heck, i flew a Grumman with a similar design (but about twice as heavy) for many years, and was very cautious about rough field operations. If my intent was to routinely operate off of pasture land, I'd go tail wheel.

Yes, you can taxi into things if you don't see them, but S-turning is a fundamental skill with a tail dragger if you can't see what is out ahead. I find the visibility out of the -8 to be good enough that I rarely S-turn....in the -6, I sit lower, and do it much more often. Just like driving a car, you need to be aware of what you CAN'T see, and allow for it - situational awareness is key at all times.

Paul

[longranger]

It takes a lot less force to PULL a wheelbarrow over a bump than to PUSH it.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

While there are nose wheel airplanes out there that work well on rough fields, I personally consider the RV nose wheel to be a bit delicate for routine operations from rough strips.

I've determined, that the RV nosewheel is "very delicate", and that should be considered in all situations.

But since numerous friends have gotten into the "tundra tire" mode lately (non-RV)...............I'm starting to gravitate that way, in regards to rougher, and more rougher strips.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[Jamie]

I'm a -7A builder/driver based at a paved airport but if I were based at a rough strip I would probably go with a tailwheel. However, if I were based at a nice sod strip I would have no reservations about the nosewheel. I have landed my -7A on sod many, many times -- no problems whatsoever.

[eric_marsh]

A tail wheel it is then. Cattle can leave some pretty good divots when it gets muddy. I think I'll have to rent a bulldozer one day.

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by eric_marsh

A tail wheel it is then. Cattle can leave some pretty good divots when it gets muddy. I think I'll have to rent a bulldozer one day.

Upgrade to a Bell tail wheel or similar. It will give you a bit more clearance and the design allows you to slide over bumps that the Van's fork might catch.

Your wheel pants might take beating so plan on rebuilding the bottoms from time to time or consider leaving them off. Search the threads for larger tires as some have done this successfully and kept the pants.

RV's do a lot of things well. Rough fields are not one of them.

[sandifer]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

The Pitt's I used for aerobatic training did the same thing. Hit a small tractor used to tug aircraft, when it ran out of gas on the ramp.

The Pitts didn't do it, the pilot did.