Retooferab
Member
Has anyone put a yaw damper on and RV8?
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Yaw Damper
- Thread starter Retooferab
- Start date
I asked about this, and (having not built my 8 yet) it seemed like the consensus was that a 3-axis autopilot wasn't really feasible. I'm curious if anyone else has thoughts though.
vansairforce.net
2 or 3 axis autopilot?
Hi, I’ve seen a couple threads mentioning yaw stability without feet on the rudder peddles in turbulent air. I’m pretty tall, and so in general my feet are always on the pedals regardless, but I’m curious - I’m going to install an autopilot and basic IFR capabilities (for marine layer, not...
vansairforce.net
Asked about this also. I’d like to put one on my 7, but haven’t found a good way to install yet
I would think the -8 and -10 both being a two row longer fuselage would benefit similarly from a yaw damper. Having flown in neither, I have no way of knowing what the back seat experience is like. I’m curious why many say the same thing about the -8 not benefiting from a yaw damper.
I would also be interested. Just because it’s not necessary doesn’t mean you can’t have it. It’s also not necessary to have autopilot at all, or a glass cockpit!
I know in some very rough weather days with severe turbulence to where I need to cruise at 95 knots it would definitely help.
Flying a short body F33 bonanza with YD makes a huge difference the ball stays centered most of the time without rudder input.
I know in some very rough weather days with severe turbulence to where I need to cruise at 95 knots it would definitely help.
Flying a short body F33 bonanza with YD makes a huge difference the ball stays centered most of the time without rudder input.
Many airframe manufacturers recommend autopilot off in severe turbulence - so it doesn’t inadvertently over-stress the airframe. Something to consider.
Haven’t installed a Yaw servo, but would love to see how someone did. Retrofit sounds like a non-starter, but just bought an RV-8 with the Garmin autopilot. Wouldn’t thought it needs one, but after flying it home yesterday for St. Louis across the Rockies in the afternoon thermals…would babe nice. Didn’t have anyone in the back seat, but would be cleaning barf for a week I had. It was bad enough in the front seat.
If anyone has retrofit a GSA 28 servo for yaw, please check in.
I wont say that you should rule out a yaw damper (I don’t know anyone that has one in an -8)….but most of us find that the airplane calms down considerably in turbulence if you just put your feet on the rudder pedals - that keeps the rudder from wagging, and effectively doubles the size of the vertical fin. Try that before you think of a more complicated option….
The install for a 14 and 10 is already pretty well documented for a GSA 28. The yaw damper is not meant to supplement your feet (At least not until in cruise in clear weather) but assist when Florida thermals and side gusts push the vertical stab one way or the other. Even though both occupants in a 14 sit over the spar my wife (And sometimes myself) can tell immediately if I have the yaw damper off. It reacts much faster than it takes me to recognize the side gust and press on the appropriate rudder pedal. It can be tested on the ground by simply pushing on the vertical stab and watch the rudder react immediately to the deviation. Wouldn't want to leave home without it.
I didn't know about this trick. I was flying today over the Socal mountains in the late afternoon and it was turbulent from all the thermals poping off. The tail on my -8 was doing some little dances but when I put my feet on the pedals, the little wagging mostly went away. I still got plenty of vertical jolts though.
Will try the foot thing next time. 8 hours of flying in it is prob not the normal mission, so will fly a bit and try this pedal method
I tried the feet on rudder pedals for multiple flights this past week and after 15 hours of summer turbulence in cruise determined that it is a negligible benefit, if any. It still wags and is nothing like an actual yaw damper.
Agree
I wonder how the yaw damping is different to your RV8A versus a tailwheel version. My RV8 has two springs connected to the rudder, and the rear wheel probably added to the minor surface area to add to the damping compare to the nosewheel version. Interesting observation though.
Yes our A’s only have the rudder pedals connected to steel wire running to the rudder with no springs.
I may have heard of that as wellOn the 14 it does a great job of settling down the airplane in turbulance.
Also, if you leave it on accidentally while landing you'll get an immediate holy shit moment thinking your rudder is locked up, so I've heard
Why I asked for auto disconnect of the YD on descent through 200’ in the Garmin suggestion thread. Seems straight forward enough.
If left on does fight you a little but nothing a little pressure can't overcome. Just don't crank up the torque beyond your leg pressure !On the 14 it does a great job of settling down the airplane in turbulance.
Also, if you leave it on accidentally while landing you'll get an immediate holy shit moment thinking your rudder is locked up, so I've heard
I’m thinking about it but see that the rudder cables seem to be spaced further apart from what I can tell. That will require a different one off bridle. I haven’t investigated beyond that because I don’t have Skyview yet.
It would probably be pretty easy to expand the design a bit and then send it to an online water cutting (or.. laser cutting) shop to have them cut out a few. I'd buy one if anyone wants to design this. I imagine the shop could even bend the ends up, though that would be easy enough to do by the end user and keeping it flat would make the shipping easier.
