Allen231ah
Well Known Member
Just ordered a SA100H smoke system for my -8
. I have an O360 with a CS prop,the battery is installed in the back. I?m a little heavy up front as it is. Any recommendations for installation, front or back baggage area?
Allen, I cannot provide an answer, but am interested in the same. What prop do you have? Metal? Composite? Dual Mags? I am still building and can tweak lots of things. I haven't decided on smoke yet, but in planning for it down the road....I would like to make the provision now.
As I am not yet flying, the following is my opinion. Those with installed flying systems, should be trusted long before me.
As a manner of practicality, it has to be filled. If equipped,the external filler extension must be mounted on a flat surface. So, if it's fwd baggage, you'll have to fill through the door with no extension. I would expect some spillage. If rear, better for weight anyway, it could be installed with the external neck mounted to the fuselage side, eliminating spills from filling.
Just ordered a SA100H smoke system for my -8. I have an O360 with a CS prop,the battery is installed in the back. I?m a little heavy up front as it is. Any recommendations for installation, front or back baggage area?
I've been through this RV-8 smoke system forward or back debate with someone in the UK
The answer to me would rely on "when" / "what" the smoke system is for. If it was for proper display work, which by most definitions requires you to fly minimum crew i.e. solo, and that display is aerobatic, then it really has to go in the back. Reason(s) The RV-8 (as any aircraft) gets heavy on the controls with a forward CG, so the Smoke system would oppose that. This assumes that when not displaying and, say flying dual / carrying baggage, the tank is empty, and maybe even parts of the system are removed.
If, OTOH, you mostly fly dual, smoke or no smoke, forward might best for reasons stated above i.e. less effect on CG.
Andy Hill
RV-8 G-HILZ
No problems... we each have our priorities and preferencesI respectfully disagree. I use the smoke system when flying formation and in this instance it is preferable to have the CG more foreward as this lessens the sensitivity of the elevator, making formation flight much easier and definitely more pleasurable
I installed my smoke system in the rear cargo compartment. Works great.
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A fellow builder made this tank for me. It holds a little over 2 gallons.
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