I am a 6'7" tall pilot with much of my height in my legs vs my torso. I spent years test fitting various RV type aircraft and that journey led to my current RV-14 building project #140587 (VS, rudder, and HS done, working elevator, QB wings and fuselage to be delivered late Sept or Oct).
I have the opportunity to buy an unpainted but flying RV-4 but would need to modify to accommodate my size. The seller has allowed me to temporarily move the roll bar & seat back, and remove the rear stick. These temporary moves allowed me to mockup the seating location comfortable for me and eyeball the modifications needed. If I were to buy this aircraft I would;
- move the roll bar back 4.5 - 5 inches
- add new reinforcement to the canopy rail to support new roll bar location
- build a new seating platform just in front of the rear control stick housing
- shorten existing lap belt connection points and fabricate new connection points both aft and wider than existing
- redesign new manual flap lever to match new seating platform
- position new canopy crossbar to fit immediately behind the new roll bar location
- once the new canopy crossbar was in place the existing crossbar would be cut to accommodate the new roll bar location
I am looking for feedback from those familiar with the RV-4 on my plan. My obvious motivation is to take the pressure off my RV-14 build and have an aircraft to fly acro and formation while I continue my RV-14 build.
Thank you in advance for any thoughts or considerations that I have not yet completely thought through.
Bernie
N914BF reserved for the RV-14
N904BF reserved for the RV-4 should I decide to buy
PPL 1971, USAF officer/pilot 1976-2006
I have the opportunity to buy an unpainted but flying RV-4 but would need to modify to accommodate my size. The seller has allowed me to temporarily move the roll bar & seat back, and remove the rear stick. These temporary moves allowed me to mockup the seating location comfortable for me and eyeball the modifications needed. If I were to buy this aircraft I would;
- move the roll bar back 4.5 - 5 inches
- add new reinforcement to the canopy rail to support new roll bar location
- build a new seating platform just in front of the rear control stick housing
- shorten existing lap belt connection points and fabricate new connection points both aft and wider than existing
- redesign new manual flap lever to match new seating platform
- position new canopy crossbar to fit immediately behind the new roll bar location
- once the new canopy crossbar was in place the existing crossbar would be cut to accommodate the new roll bar location
I am looking for feedback from those familiar with the RV-4 on my plan. My obvious motivation is to take the pressure off my RV-14 build and have an aircraft to fly acro and formation while I continue my RV-14 build.
Thank you in advance for any thoughts or considerations that I have not yet completely thought through.
Bernie
N914BF reserved for the RV-14
N904BF reserved for the RV-4 should I decide to buy
PPL 1971, USAF officer/pilot 1976-2006