ronschreck
Well Known Member
Kathy and I just returned from Sebring; 3.1 hours and over 2 hours IMC. The Sebring IAC Chapter 23 put on yet another outstanding event and four RV pilots competed. I recall that there was a "one design" contest in Giddings,Texas in 2008 but even after re-designing the Primary sequence to eliminate the spin only three RV's showed. I think we have proven that the RV is perfectly capable of flying the Primary and Sportsman IAC sequences without modification (spins included) and the four attending the Sebring event are proof of that. Bill McLean and I flew the Sportsman category and first timers Curt Sullivant and Mark Wesson flew in the Primary category. Curt flies a very nice RV-6 and Mark flies a very aerobatic RV-9 (yes, RV-9!). Both had a great time and promised to continue competing and hopefully bring a few buddies along to share the fun. Bill McLean took home a couple of third place medals for the first two flights and the rest of us had a good time too . I make no excuses but I will mention that I found that some highly qualified national IAC judges will not recognize a RV snap roll unless they see a definite positive pitch change prior to the roll. After getting a few "hard zeros" for my avalanche (loop with a snap roll on top) I was told by the contest director Marcus Cade that high performance monoplanes (Extras, MXs, etc) with full-span ailerons can do an aileron roll as quickly as a snap roll so to determine that a snap is not just an aileron roll the judges need to see a positive pitch change just prior to the rotation. Of course the RV with it's little ailerons can't possibly do an aileron roll as quickly as it can snap but most judges don't know that so I need to insure that the pitch up prior to my roll is more recognizable. I'll work on that.
Sebring is the final contest of the season so you aerobatic aspirants have a few months to prepare for 2016. The proposed "known" sequences for Primary and Sportsman categories are posted on the IAC web site. Start practicing!
Sebring is the final contest of the season so you aerobatic aspirants have a few months to prepare for 2016. The proposed "known" sequences for Primary and Sportsman categories are posted on the IAC web site. Start practicing!