Do it at your own risk
penguin said:
I agree with most of the general stuff you wrote, but I do think it is a little irresponsible posting detail information on aerobatics on a forum such as this, as you never know who is reading. Teaching yourself aerobatics (especially in an RV) is often a short term hobby as most people either kill themselves, or frighten themselves so badly that they never want to leave straight & level flight again. I really enjoy aeros and what everyone else to as well - competent training is the only way. There are adequate guidelines in the build manual; I would leave it at that.
I also disagree about wearing a parachute on your own (I know its the law 2 up) - as far as I'm aware there have been no (or very few) documented successful escapes from RVs - so its just an expensive seat cushion. I know this has been discussed at length previously, but before you strap on a parachute make sure that you will be able to jettison the canopy. I have no idea how you might do that.
Yours, Pete
Pete I respect your opinion but let me give you the facts from some one who has given over 2000 hours of dual instruction, some aerobatic. I know many aerobatic pilots, RV pilots included, who taught themselves aerobatics, THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT.
I would rather they have a clue if they do, and they are.
I can't disagree with your opinion, YOU MUST GET DUAL, but to say I am irresponsible is a bit a much. I don't think I'm putting any thoughts into any one's head, that where not already there.
Regarding your comment about first time
RV acro deaths, do you have some examples or statistics? I can't dispute your claim, but I'll throw out another unproven statistic/comment. First time intentional aerobatic accidents (started at safe altitude) in RV's is small, nil, minuscule, compared to other accidents from pilot error (dumb pilot tricks). There was one bent plane from a passenger doing a split-S from cruise. In another passenger flying case, a low level pull-up and wing over / stall resulted in hitting trees and the ground. Fortunitly in both cases the pilot and pax survived.
Than there is the guy who does a roll on take off who never has done a roll before at any altitude and crashes. This person is one who takes unnecessary risk. They'll not bother to read what I wrote or get dual. Some might call that natural selection, Darwin style. For those who make some effort to get advice, as I suggested, will have a much better chance of success than no written, verbal instruction.
WHY MAKE AEROBATIC TECHNIQUE & SAFETY A SECRET or ELITE?
There's a 100 books on the subject. For those who want the info it's out there. Providing detailed RV technique is goodness not irresponsibility; it's called teaching.
As far as
scaring ones self I know it happens.
HOWEVER if, they would have read a book or two on acro or heeded my suggestions for practice, limits and equip I posted, they likely would have NOT scared themselves! The other possibility is they might have not attempted it at all, since I suggest they get some dual first. However people don't always listen, thus give them a fighting chance with some guidelines. It is not super human to do a loop or roll. However any maneuver can result in a stall so by all means be up on stalls (power on/off/accelerate) and recovery.
It just proves my point, pilots will do acro any way. At least I want them to know basics about airspeed, G's, control inputs and common errors if they are going to do it.
My first acro experience, loops and rolls where as a kid in an open cockpit biplane and a T-6 WWII trainer. Years later my first actual PIC acro was while training for my initial CFI, doing the required spin training in a mighty 152 Aerobat. We also did loops and rolls; although not required I wanted to try it. My skill and comfort in flying increased greatly after this, even though I had many ratings and hours. Doing aerobatics is eye opening, even if it's just an hours worth of dual. I went on to later to teach acro in that same Aerobat. You have to dive to do a loop; it was still fun. When I got the RV-4 going it was an unbelievable acro plane (and easy to fly compared to other planes).
I essentially taught myself acro in my RV. I had that small foundation and a short RV-4 demo flight with a roll and loop, but that was it. There is a first time for everything. I also recalled Van's RVator article on RV aerobatic and Duane Cole's book as well. All this went into my first RV's flight acro, Weeee Yip Yee, Yahoo. It was routine and safe.
I have to point out before I do any acro in any plane, I learn the plane. I practice slow flight, stalls, dives, steep turns, lazy eights and chandelle first.
"Know thy self" has never been so true than in aviation. Know your limits. Some people can read something and than just do it. Others need to be shown. You know who you are?
You are right the slider RV-6/7 has a hard time opening the canopy, that's why I am looking into removable pins or some other method to eject. The RV-4, and tips ups are not an issue.
If there are two people a chute IS required by the FAR's, regardless.
There's nothing illegal about teaching your self aerobatics. I discourage it, but I know better what pilots really do. As a teacher I would rather they have some basic info in their head than none at all.
I encourage anyone get more info:
http://shop.eaa.org/html/01_iac_books.html
I'm for personal responsibility. A pilot wants to teach them self to do rolls or loops, solo, over an unpopulated area, that's their choice. My post will NOT MAKE someone do aerobatics that would not have done it any way. Like wise it will not keep them from getting training they had planned in the first place.
You're entitled to your opinion. Again get dual is great advice, but to be realistic pilots are going to do it with out dual. I don't like being called irresponsible; but than you're totally wrong, so it doesn't matter.