Don't Dump those flaps!!

[Jamie]

It seems that a lot of people think that to fly HOTAS you have to put flaps on the stick. This is completely not true (at least for the SBS RVs). I have the momentary switch that comes with the kit on my electric flaps and have the switch mounted on the panel just above and to the left of my throttle. I can easy raise or lower flaps with my right hand on the throttle. Simple (as electric flaps go) and I wouldn't change a thing. I never give it a second thought in the pattern.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

why anyone prefers manual over electric flap deployment is beyond me. That flap handle takes up a lot of space, especially on the side by side models unless you seek to cop a cheap feel from your passenger.

I can lower or raise my flaps to any position and at any rate I want. (I have notches for 13*, 26*, and 38*)
They are not dependent on any aircraft power.
They have never failed to operate.
I haven't found the handle to be in the way for over 17 years.
My passenger sits in the right seat. The flap handle is between the seats.

[Toobuilder]

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

Don't put the starter switch on the control stick.

Why? (Even less words)

[Birkelbach]

Originally Posted by DanH

Count me with those thinking a flap switch near a trim switch is really dumb design

Well the day isn't complete until somebody calls me "dumb."

Originally Posted by DanH

Unintended operation can be dangerous in more ways than an unplanned sink rate. Consider what might happen if you accidentally deploy at 170 knots and collapse one of the pushrods.

Can't happen. The motor is simply not strong enough to bend the pushrods. I've tested it in the hangar. At 170 knots I doubt the flaps would even move. The motor will stall and you will likely blow a fuse.

Even if it did happen, Van's has tested that the RVs have enough aileron authority to counteract the forces of a single deployed flap. Fly the stinkin' airplane!!!!

[Toobuilder]

Originally Posted by DanH

...Food for thought......might some builders buy a cool grip, then spend hours thinking up questionable uses for all the buttons?...

I suspect that this is exactly the genesis of the airplane in my hangar... One of the buttons turned on the interior light!

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by DanH

Count me with those thinking a flap switch near a trim switch is really dumb design.....Food for thought......might some builders buy a cool grip, then spend hours thinking up questionable uses for all the buttons?

Dan,

Dumb you say? That is a bit harsh or (if by feel alone) you have problems distinguishing between the shape of a China Hat and a flap toggle switch located away from it. All the other buttons are there alright but that does NOT mean we have to wire em all up. The Infinity grip is after all, a scaled down version of a military grip and for our purposes it's buttons are entirely optional. The grips comes prewired according to builder wishes but in practice I rigged mine to accomplish just 3 functions.....2 axis trim, flap deployment, and PTT on the trigger. That means I can fly the pattern, communicate, deploy flaps and readjust the trim...all while keeping my hand on the stick. That is about as ergonomic as you get.

[Ron Lee]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

One the other hand, with the manual system of RV flap deployment, you have to dump 10° of flap right out of the gate and I find that.....well, inefficient because a significant pitch trim setting may be required to unload the joystick.

Not an issue.

FACT: This situation could have resulted in a fatality. However it is fixed, it should be.

Rick, I have manual pitch trim and flaps. I only have PTT on the stick. I do not have to remove my left hand from the stick to activate flaps or pitch trim.

[Birkelbach]

Originally Posted by lcnmrv8r

Yep, the motor will blow the fuse. Which ain't exactly good either.

True, but it's survivable. The fuse blew on my flaps on the first flight. It was a non-event. I had 4,000 ft of runway available and still only needed half of it.

P.S. It blew because I had the wrong fuse installed, not because I tried to deploy at 170 kts. :-)

[DanH]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

That means I can fly the pattern, communicate, deploy flaps and readjust the trim...all while keeping my hand on the stick.

Sorry Rick, I didn't realize you were one-handed

Yeah, I'm pulling your leg. Actually I like your thinking; there is no need to use every button. But I still wouldn't put flaps near a trim.....

[N941WR]

Mel,

Like you, I prefer manual flaps but when I was building and contacted Van's about using a Johnson bar flap deployment system they told me that due to the length and design of the RV-9's follower flaps a pilot wouldn't have the strength to deploy them.

Kind of a bummer but if I was building a -7, I would probably put in the flap handle, maybe...

When I was doing my transition training in a friend's -6 with manual flaps, we were on short final and the flaps slipped up one notch. So even manual flaps can automatically retract.