Transitioning to RV-4

[TavG]

New to the VAF.....in process of buying my first RV-4. I have 400+ hours PIC total, 65 hours in a Citabria (only tailwheel flown). The -4 (soon to be mine) does not have full rear controls, so getting a checkout in this aircraft is very limited. Im in New Braunfels TX. Anyone in the area with a -6 that would like to "mentor" me in learning the RV?

 

[Mike S]

Tav, welcome aboard the good ship VAF

Here is a link to the VAF list of transition trainers.

You will need to scroll down to "Transition Training"

THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)

The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...

vansairforce.net

 

[andoman]

As tailwheel aircraft go the -4 is as docile as it gets.
The question is: what does your insurance require?
With your tailwheel time and TT they may not require a CFI sign off. If so, don’t be afraid to fly it.

 

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

Just make sure your skills are really sharp and that your personal tolerances are really tight. The RV-4 will reward those attitudes.

 

[RV6_flyer]

New to the VAF.....in process of buying my first RV-4. I have 400+ hours PIC total, 65 hours in a Citabria (only tailwheel flown). The -4 (soon to be mine) does not have full rear controls, so getting a checkout in this aircraft is very limited. Im in New Braunfels TX. Anyone in the area with a -6 that would like to "mentor" me in learning the RV?

As tailwheel aircraft go the -4 is as docile as it gets.
The question is: what does your insurance require?
With your tailwheel time and TT they may not require a CFI sign off. If so, don’t be afraid to fly it.

You may need to go to someone with an airplane for "transition training."
I had 200 PIC hours and 50 hours tailwheel (mostly Citabria) when I did transition training then did the 1st flight of my airplane back in September 1997.

 

[SPX]

As tailwheel aircraft go the -4 is as docile as it gets.
The question is: what does your insurance require?
With your tailwheel time and TT they may not require a CFI sign off. If so, don’t be afraid to fly it.

I agree with everything above, but with no RV time, even flying around with somebody in a A model for an hour would really help the transition… I would encourage the author of the original post to do so as it will make his -4 flight that much more fun.

 

[Capt]

I’ve driven the F1 Rocket with only 200 hrs conventional U/C time on a 7ECA as well as now owned an 8 & 4 (the later my current ride) and like all Mr Vans designs they are pussycats My 4 is 320/FP, a more benign conventional U/C machine with good perf you will not find The scary boogeyman is alive and well out there Unless it’s an insurance thingy just get in it and drive off into the sunset, forget trying to remove the RV grin, can’t be done