gmcjetpilot
Well Known Member
I've been spending a lot of time in the RV-7 this year and I've checked rigging, alignments and twist in all the control surfaces without any luck in finding whats causing this tail wagging.
It only takes a slight amount of turbulence to set it in motion. I can keep both feet pressed hard on the rudder or just let it float and neither will stop it. It doesn't make a difference being fast or slow but the stronger the turbulence the more aggressive the wagging.
Anyone have thoughts on this.
https://youtu.be/fgnwp1I3nfI
WHERE ARE your feet.... If you have your feet on the floor many planes will yaw or Dutch roll.... Also if not on autopilot and loose in the stick the plane will move around in turbulence. It is NORMAL...
Two place RV's are short coupled... not too short but just right for overall performance and control desired (fast, sporty, XC plane). Personally the RV's ride turbulence well. I love the RV. It has a sold feel and very responsive to input. Also keep in mind you are going much faster than a typical single engine, fixed gear GA plane which affects how it flies and feels in bumps.
SUGGESTION in turbulence slow down a little bit, may make the difference in ride. OR change altitude, a few 1000's feet may make a big difference.
Put your FEET on the Pedals... Lightly and feel them. If you get good you can actually be a human Yaw Damper. I flew a Ted Smith TS61 (later Piper Aerostar). The people in the back appreciated how I dampened out turbulence and the yaw by making subtitle rudder inputs. Kind of like a tail dragger in technique, quick small corrections than neutral, little inputs timed to dampen. Takes some practice. JUST RESTING FEET ON PEDALS... Big help.
Second pointer. Don't fly in turbulence. ha ha
Most of all the jet airlines I flew had YAW DAMPERS..... Some business jets, Lear Jets come to mind, am Inop yaw damper was a no go item.
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