Transform RV6-A into RV6

[maximo64]

Hello, I need some help, if anybody has done this tranformation, the list of parts I have to get in order to transform my trycicle RV6A into a taildragger RV6. Any advices are welcomed.
Thanks,
Maximo.

 

[JonJay]

Do a search and you can find a ton of discussion.
It’s not for the faint of heart or for an inexperienced builder.

 

[Dad's RV-10]

Hello, I need some help, if anybody has done this tranformation, the list of parts I have to get in order to transform my trycicle RV6A into a taildragger RV6. Any advices are welcomed.
Thanks,
Maximo.

Have a look here.

 

[maximo64]

Thanks for the help. I found a document in VANs web site which explains the conversion (from 6A to 6 and viceversa).

Converting an RV-6 to an RV-6A (or vice-versa) - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes

The following instructions can guide you in converting between tricycle and tailwheel models of the RV-6/6A. Simply follow the instructions from beginning to end, or from end to beginning depending on which conversion you’re undertaking.

www.vansaircraft.com

Reason: I have flown this plane almost 15 years with no problem, but last november I had a very serious accident after nose gear collapsed on a grass strip landing, plane overturned, cabin dome and safety arch also collapsed, my C-2 vertebra was fractured, miraculously saved my life...

 

[roadrunner20]

I converted my 7A in to a TW 7 back in 2012.
You can PM me with questions and/or send me your cell# and we can discuss it.

 

[Mel]

I converted my 7A in to a TW 7 back in 2012.
You can PM me with questions and/or send me your cell# and we can discuss it.

Big difference between converting a -6 vs. -7. On the -6, the main gear attaches with the wing attach bolts. Not so on the -7.

 

[maximo64]

Big difference between converting a -6 vs. -7. On the -6, the main gear attaches with the wing attach bolts. Not so on the -7.

Do not quite understand. According to -6 drawing main gear attaches to engine mount.

 

[Mel]

Do not quite understand. According to -6 drawing main gear attaches to engine mount.

Sorry....Talking about the main gear on the -6A. It's more work to remove the main gear from the -6A than from the -7A.

 

[roadrunner20]

Sorry....Talking about the main gear on the -6A. It's more work to remove the main gear from the -6A than from the -7A.

The 7A mains attach via the gear weldment which is attached to the spar & not directly to the spar via wing attach points.

 

[JonJay]

Thanks for the help. I found a document in VANs web site which explains the conversion (from 6A to 6 and viceversa).

Converting an RV-6 to an RV-6A (or vice-versa) - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes

The following instructions can guide you in converting between tricycle and tailwheel models of the RV-6/6A. Simply follow the instructions from beginning to end, or from end to beginning depending on which conversion you’re undertaking.

www.vansaircraft.com

Reason: I have flown this plane almost 15 years with no problem, but last november I had a very serious accident after nose gear collapsed on a grass strip landing, plane overturned, cabin dome and safety arch also collapsed, my C-2 vertebra was fractured, miraculously saved my life...

They sure make it look easy!
Scary accident for sure. Glad it wasn’t worse.
There are various mods that can be purchased that claim to prevent, or minimize, nose gear collapse and subsequent nose overs. Perhaps rebuilding with those mods would be a less cumbersome option?

 

[maximo64]

They sure make it look easy!
Scary accident for sure. Glad it wasn’t worse.
There are various mods that can be purchased that claim to prevent, or minimize, nose gear collapse and subsequent nose overs. Perhaps rebuilding with those mods would be a less cumbersome option?

After reviewing several videos, reports, photos, and what I personally experimented, I think that when you land RV-6A, 7A or 9A in a (not well mantained ) grass strip, or worse, if you happen to have an emergency on uneven terrain, nose gear will collapse most probably, and also plane will consequently overturn. Consequences could be your life, several doctors told me that I was really very lucky (or the Lord upstairs said this is not your time...) because fracture of C2 many times end in paraplegic or death. For me it is worth the time and money to make the conversion. Thanks anyway !!!

Take a look to these links/videos:

Nose gear collapse video makes strong case for upgrade | Flight Safety Australia

There have been a number of notable nose-over accidents on Van's aircraft but an occurrence captured on video makes strong case for owners to retrofit new stronger components. The ATSB is urging Van’s Aircraft owners to consider retrofitting a stronger nose gear and engine mount system on some mo

www.flightsafetyaustralia.com

Incident Van's RV-6A G-CCVS,

Report by witness that aircraft overturned on landing after the nose wheel collapsed. The pilot was trapped in the aircraft and was released by fire and rescue service. He was slightly in...

aviation-safety.net

Safety Is No Accident

It’s been a couple of years since we looked at how homebuilts generally fared in the accident statistics vis-à-vis certified aircraft. This time around we’ll look at the safety records of specific homebuilt designs, starting with the Van’s RV.

www.kitplanes.com