Backcountry Flying in the 8

[wera710]

If you are only doing it occasionally I see no reason why you couldn't. I would highly recommend having a spare set of hubs for larger tires, with the obvious removal of the wheel pants before traveling. You'll rip em up, or off in some situations. They even snag on some hanger door runners!

Forget those tiny 5.00s. You'll want 7.00s a least. I'd say 8.00s but not sure the brakes would handle them.

As far as aproaches and T/O & L ... I see no reason why the 8 would not work. I've got a Hartzell constant speed prop and with a Concord RG battery and ELT shelf behind the baggage, she full-stall lands fine, in a fairly short distance. The CS prop definitely helps. Big brake out front. Haven't measured the exact distance yet, but I think I am stopping in 400 to 600 feet. Could do it shorter but I am still coming down short final at 75 knots, feeling it out. But coming in high, dropping the nose and cutting power, flaring to a three pointer, she drops in fine and stops around 550 ft. I've done it in less.

Anyway, its not ideal, but if you are not using it for daily runs, I see no reason you could not do it if you practice a lot on T/O & L on bigger fields till you get a solid grasp of the individuals aircrafts needs.

As far as whether you want to beat up the plane...thats another issue altogether. But it IS a tool to be used. So if its all you got, then why not?

[Bill Dicus]

Again, thanks for all the responses. I've landed our old Commanche 260 several times at Stanley and it was not a problem at all. Guess I'll stick to the smoother and better maintained grass strips. Johnson Creek looks super...

[redhawk]

I've taken my 8 to several backcountry strips in Idaho and Utah.
The big help has been putting the larger Dresser tires on. My philosophy also is to leave the wheel pants on. My logic for this is I would rather get a scraped up wheel pant that I can easily repair then a rock thrown up into the underside of my horizontal stab or leading edge, which I've had happen numerous times in a C185 and other taildraggers. Also with the larger tires the clearance is better to the bottom of the pants.
My big complaint with my -8 for shortfield is the fixed pitch prop I have doesn't slow the plane down on landing like a CS prop would do.
Another suggestion is to replace the Vans tailwheel with a angled double fork type. The Vans tailwheel with it's vertical forward-face WILL catch on a hole or divet and could possibly rip your stinger right off the fuselage.

[springer]

Originally Posted by redhawk

My big complaint with my -8 for shortfield is the fixed pitch prop I have doesn't slow the plane down on landing like a CS prop would do.

Redhawk, you need to sell that airplane (to me) and no more complaints. :-)

[n816kc]

Whatever you do, don't talk to Smokyray (Smokey)! He's taken his -4 , Rocket and -X into much of the backcountry, no problemo. Do a quick search for his posts, lots of good info and feedback.

[Geeman]

I went to Johnson Creek last summer. The only thing back country about it was location. It's like a golf course. I had small tires and wheel pants. No problem.

[Jaypratt]

Smokey Ray has had his RVs in lot of places in Idaho some us veteran Idaho Pilots, wish, we had the courage to try!
His fixed pitch RV4 has seen more of Idaho than I have seen in 10 years of going there. I know he has landed a lot of places in a 145 hp C172 that most would not try.
It is the pilot? Not the equipment.
Go, follow your dreams, just be careful and do not jump without weighing the odds. Leave yourself an out.

[PCollins]

Folks, I have helped take two RV-8's out of the Flying B in pieces. So - Johnson Creek,Garden Valley,Moose Creek - OK. The others, not so OK. My thoughts.
Paul Collins
8ZV