I thought I would add some personal experience in case it might help some RV-12 pilots.
I know it is not part of the POH, and it is a bit counter intuitive, but I have found that raising the nose wheel as soon as possible provides better rudder control during crosswind take offs.
As with all airplanes with clockwise rotating propellers, a left crosswind is the biggest challenge (torque already turns the airplane that way, weather vaning into the cross wind makes it worse.) 100 HP is a lot of power for an airplane that weighs 750 lbs or less empty. The torque turn to the left is a factor with left cross winds. Because no power is applied during landing, there is ample rudder authority (even in a left cross wind) but you need to use care applying power while aborting a landing or doing a touch & go.
For every takeoff I hold the stick full back, and add full power. Reduce stick deflection as soon as nose starts to come up, so that nose wheel stays 4-6 inches off the runway. Let the airplane fly off when it is ready.
(A demonstration of what I consider good take-off and landing technique for any tri-gear RV can be seen in the first 1:30 of
THIS VIDEO)
I have found that if I use this technique in a strong crosswind, the moment the nose wheel leaves the ground, the amount of rudder input required is reduced by about a third. In a 15kt left cross wind, it makes the difference between full right rudder and dragging the right brake (and extending the takeoff run because of the dragging brake), or using 2/3 to 3/4 of the available rudder input and no brake.
As already mentioned... the airplane is very capable, but the pilot needs to be equally as capable. New RV-12 pilots need to learn the airplane, and work up to these type of operating extremes as their skills develop.
