What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Aerobatic speeds

rick57

rick57

Well Known Member
Sponsor
Please advise again and thanks in advance. I am still very new to my RV-4 and at some point will begin to learn basic aerobatics cause they are fun and a challenge to get right.
What are the most fun and safe manuevers for the RV-4?
What is the forum's best advice on the safe and proper way to go about becoming proficient in this area of the RV-4's capabilities?
Rick
 
rick57 said:
Please advise again and thanks in advance. I am still very new to my RV-4 and at some point will begin to learn basic aerobatics cause they are fun and a challenge to get right.
What are the most fun and safe manuevers for the RV-4?
What is the forum's best advice on the safe and proper way to go about becoming proficient in this area of the RV-4's capabilities?
Rick
Click to expand...
1, 2, 3, and 4: Get some aerobatic instruction from someone who is good at it! Your RV-4 is a slick machine and can build up speed in a hurry when things aren't done exactly as they should have been!
 
- Poindexter - said:
... PS - rolls & loops are the easiest to start with, after all that spin recovery training.
Click to expand...
The aerobatics instructor will reinforce the need NOT to dish out the bottom of the aileron roll. That's a principal error that contributes to overspeeds.

As for the maneuvers, in my 7A I certified KELLI GIRL for the following (as posted in my POH):

Recommended Entry Speeds:
Loops, Horizontal 8s, Lazy 8s: 120-165 KIAS
Immelmann Turns: 130-165 KIAS
Aileron Rolls, Barrel Rolls: 105-165 KIAS
Split-S: 85-95 KIAS

CAUTION:
All other aerobatic maneuvers, including negative-G maneuvers, are prohibited. This aircraft does not possess negative-G fuel and oil equipment.

I hope this helps.
 
scrollF4 said:
The aerobatics instructor will reinforce the need NOT to dish out the bottom of the aileron roll. That's a principal error that contributes to overspeeds.

As for the maneuvers, in my 7A I certified KELLI GIRL for the following (as posted in my POH):

Recommended Entry Speeds:
Loops, Horizontal 8s, Lazy 8s: 120-165 KIAS
Immelmann Turns: 130-165 KIAS
Aileron Rolls, Barrel Rolls: 105-165 KIAS
Split-S: 85-95 KIAS

CAUTION:
All other aerobatic maneuvers, including negative-G maneuvers, are prohibited. This aircraft does not possess negative-G fuel and oil equipment.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Yes sir, it does, many thanks. Rick
 
Listen well to all the advice here.. I was in your shoes when I went from a Taylorcraft BC-12 to my RV-4 that I built. The RV will get away from you in very short order with the nose low. An experienced instructor WITH RV or similar airframe experience will help save your bacon. I do "gentlemen" acro with mine, mostly simple aileron rolls, but even the simplest mistake will have you smoking fast. Until you do get the proper training (You may already have it?) , just doing steep lazy 8's will wake you up on the downline speed build-up. The RV-4 simply can't hold vertical downline flight like a draggy acro purposed aircraft...by the time you realize it, its too late and things are happening fast.
 
Get training. Something like a Super D is perfect. You need to be confident enough to be willing to put a decent amount of G load on the RV which goes a LONG way in controlling the "slick" nature of RVs. Timidity is just as much of a problem as overconfidence. Entry speeds don't matter much except for snaps and Split-S. I'd suggest forgetting snaps until if/when you ever gain enough perspective on acro and RVs to not have to wonder about whether you should attempt them or not. And the Split-S is a bit of a silly maneuver that few experienced acro pilots actually do for fun outside of Intermediate+ level competition sequences.
 
luddite42 said:
Get training. Something like a Super D is perfect. You need to be confident enough to be willing to put a decent amount of G load on the RV which goes a LONG way in controlling the "slick" nature of RVs. Timidity is just as much of a problem as overconfidence. Entry speeds don't matter much except for snaps and Split-S. I'd suggest forgetting snaps until if/when you ever gain enough perspective on acro and RVs to not have to wonder about whether you should attempt them or not. And the Split-S is a bit of a silly maneuver that few experienced acro pilots actually do for fun outside of Intermediate+ level competition sequences.
Click to expand...
While I understand where you're coming from, I'm not sure I'd say entry speeds don't matter much. If you attempt a loop at 100 knots, for example, you'll likely fall out of the front side of that figure. You can fly them at a variety of speeds, but I find that it's best to know a middle range number because it gives new aerobatic pilots a consistent result. I love the split-S, especially in the RV, because it's always a reminder of how quickly speed builds in these airframes when aimed toward the ground.

For the OP: you were asking about speeds, but please don't forget other important considerations, such as...

1. If your airplane has been modified from the designer's plans, consider if and how any of those mods might affect aerobatics. Example: I have wingtip fuel tanks, so I don't spin my airplane because of the extra weight out there. It hasn't been spin tested by the maker of those tanks. They also prohibit acro when there is fuel in the wingtips.

2. Be sure your airplane is set up for acro before doing aerobatics. Everything loose removed from the airplane and baggage area. A careful inspection of the airplane for any FOD that could get lodged in the controls. Tie up any loose seatbelts. Make sure your keys, coins, pens, and other hazards are removed from your pockets. I've lost good friends to FOD.

3. Yeah, get some good instruction. A Decathlon is a great trainer.

--Ron
 
ronrapp said:
While I understand where you're coming from, I'm not sure I'd say entry speeds don't matter much. If you attempt a loop at 100 knots, for example, you'll likely fall out of the front side of that figure.
Click to expand...
Sure, but of course upfront quality acro training makes this sort of issue self-evident and moot. And falling out is also nothing to be concerned about, assuming again that someone has had quality acro/spin training. Newbies are often overly concerned about entry speeds, but one can find this sort of thing all over the internet, and in the end they immediately realize the RV will do all the basic maneuvers (except snaps and Split-S) from an economy cruise speed/power setting - and a wide range of other speeds as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top