How is the spin recovery for an RV-6A?
Early in the life of the RV-6 we recognized that its spin characteristics and recovery were not the same as the mild
spin qualities of the RV-3 and RV-4 which preceded it. The spin was fully developed following the second turn, the
rotation rate became rapid and recovery required around 1½ more turns. We recognized that most RV-6 pilots
would probably not have an extensive aerobatic background, and could be challenged by recovering from fully
developed spins. We chose to recommend that RV-6 pilots concentrate on learning spin recognition, immediate
recovery, and spin avoidance rather than encouraging them to explore the limits of spin recoverability. We also
recommended that the RV-6 not be used for recreational spins. Section 15 of the RV-6 Construction Manual
details spin testing, spin recovery techniques, and spin limitation recommendations for pilots. Testing the RV-6
also revealed that stall characteristics were benign and spin resistance was good. In other words, a conscious
effort was needed to cause intentional spins, so accidental spins were deemed improbable during normal flight
operations, including sport aerobatics.* Of the 1400 plus RV-6 and RV-6A aircraft which have been completed
and flown, we are not aware of accidental spins resulting from aerobatic flight, nor are we aware of spin recovery
problems when operated within suggested limits
PLEASE read Service Bulletin SB-2-6-1 which actually pertains to the RV-7(A), but has a lot of info about spins the -6 and the -7. Recreational
spins are not recommended in the RV-6.
https://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/sb-2-6-1/
FYI, This is a excerpt of what was stated about spins in the RV-6 almost 20 years ago. I think the "discussion" section in the SB clarifies the reasoning for this position.
If you contact someone at [email protected] we can email you Section 15 from the RV-6 Construction Manual if you don't have access to it.
Fly safe out there and refer to the information published by Van's when it pertains to the safe operation of your aircraft.
Regarding the stock RV-6 (not with RV-7/8 rudder), everyone new to spins should understand that there's a difference between fully developed spins and the ones most do for fun or during precision acro sequences. Fully developed is over two turns and that is where pilots with low spin experience might get spooked or panicked by the relatively lengthy recovery. This is the only reason Van recommends against them in the RV-6, not because recovery is a problem or dangerous.
Prior to fully developed, recovery is quicker and fairly standard. Competition acro sequences for example don't see anything more than 1.5 turns. After initially learning the spin characteristics of your airplane, most people don't generally do high rotation number spins just for fun. Not much point. Most aerobatic airplanes don't exhibit such a major difference in recovery characteristics pre and post fully developed. The stock 6 is just a quirky one and the other RV models are not like this. And I've spun a 6 with a 7 rudder and it recovered fully developed spins within 1/4 turn.
The likely often cause of confusion is that the RV-7 also uses the RV-8 vertical stab., and the kit was initially released with the RV-8 rudder but that was shortly changed to a different design which I am not aware of ever being installed on an RV-6.
probably gonna be smoked by the Vans reps here… but here goes:
Is a -6 of the latter series, equipped with a -8 tail, then okeyd for recreational spins?
Along the same token, couldn’t the Vne be, as for the -8, 200 KTAS iso 182?
Thanks for your answers, shields are on
probably gonna be smoked by the Vans reps here… but here goes:
Is a -6 of the latter series, equipped with a -8 tail, then okeyd for recreational spins?
Along the same token, couldn’t the Vne be, as for the -8, 200 KTAS iso 182?
Thanks for your answers, shields are on
PS
Whilst getting acquainted with the DHC-1 Chipmunk, we practiced 10 turn spin-flat-spins for a whole hour… still feel dizzy *
Recovery easily took 2-3 turns with the stick fully forward… yep, I was young and it sure was fun
Thanks for that Scott.
Recall some of that history, all published in the original (yes ladies and gents, real paper, what a feel…) RVator. And yes, it all made and still makes sense, even to me
Any take on the Vne of a -6 equipped with an -8 tail?