What is UP with FLAP switch Up is Down and Down is UP

[jackking123]

This is a RV-12iS with a red switch between the seats at the aft end of the center console. The switch, three position Center OFF, Momentary and Latched, is on angled panel facing forward between pilot and passenger seats. You really can't look at it, do it by feel.

Pull switch Up - Flaps Go Down.
Push switch down - Flaps Go Up. Switch latches, does not require you to hold it up.*

* RV-12iS flap up latches, so the motor runs until you put switch in CENTER? No standard limit switch.

It seems backwards, Did the builder install this incorrectly? Looking at other pictures of RV-12iS this is how it is down.

 

[ERushing]

I believe the engineer wanted to mimic the operation of the RV-12 mechanical flap handle. Pull up to extend; push down to retract. You get used to it.

I think this is an example of over-thinking what should have been a simple decision.

 

[Brantel]

Factory powder coating and silk screening.

It’s a weird RV-12 thing.

 

[Source41]

When I first starting flying the RV I thought it weird as well. What really made it "make sense" for me think of it more as a forward/back switch as opposed to the y axis of up and down. Go faster push it forward as you slow down pull it back.

 

[ravenstar]

It briefly confused me the first time I flew one, but once I thought of it as pushing the flaps forward (up) or pulling backward (down), it clicked and I didn't think about it again. Mounting it on the angle facing forward also doesn't help, but another way to think about it is if you rotate the switch up onto the panel where say Cessna has it mounted it really moves the same way the panel mounted lever moves. (Ok, that's harder to imagine.)

 

[wirejock]

Does it work as placarded?

 

[rvbuilder2002]

When I first starting flying the RV I thought it weird as well. What really made it "make sense" for me think of it more as a forward/back switch as opposed to the y axis of up and down. Go faster push it forward as you slow down pull it back.

That was the logic used, along with what do you do when doing a go-around
(Push everything forward….), when deciding the function.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what logic is used, there will always be people whose brain is wired differently and will think it makes no sense.

 

[mburch]

FAR 23.779 used to say:

Cockpit controls must be designed so that they operate in accordance with the following movement and actuation:
[...]
Flaps (or auxiliary lift devices): Forward or up for flaps up or auxiliary device stowed; rearward or down for flaps down or auxiliary device deployed.

But that regulation was simplified with the introduction of FAR 23.26xx, which basically says "be sure to label what everything does".

But either way, the RV-12 flap switch would pass!

 

[jackking123]

I believe the engineer wanted to mimic the operation of the RV-12 mechanical flap handle. Pull up to extend; push down to retract. You get used to it.

I think this is an example of over-thinking what should have been a simple decision.

YEP, that is the way I'll think of it if I can't *see* placard., manual flap Johnson Bar:

Pull up on bar for FLAPS down.​

Lower bar down to RAISE flaps.​

The issue is *See* Placard. Not in a great place between seats. With two people the switch the placards can be harder to see or covered. The switch is at an angle and you are looking at it almost straight down. Also accidental actuation is possible. My main concern, was it installed incorrectly. It is not.

Solution, training, training and training, and asking dumb questions on VAF... THANK YOU for all the great answers.

All things point to "It’s a weird RV-12 thing." Brantel

 

[arazoza]

We ended up flipping the switch in our RV-12 to have it match more conventional flap orientations on the market. We re-labeled panel to match the new orientation.

 

[JonJay]

Maybe it’s European?