Sun Sep 09, 2018 4:18 pm
#1636912
Thanks for the kind words Rob!
There is an annual RV - only pseudo competition run by the BAeA (this year very successfully run by Davef77 of this parish) in which the sequence is designed around the limitations of RVs, meaning no spins so that RV-6s and RV-7s can 'compete' on equal terms with the 4s and 8s. Because it's not oficially a competition, rather it's a training event, competition insurance is not required, so the hurdles to taking part are minimal.
Although Vans does not specifically prohibit their aircraft from flicks, the LAA does, this includes the RV-8, and for the avoidance of doubt, I've never tried to flick mine. At Standard (Sports) level competition, flicks are not part of the repertoire, so this is not a handicap.
In my 8, Va(the blue line) is 120kt, (just spotted the edit in other posts about this) The yellow arc starts at 160kt. The 120kt Va speed is a limitation to fly around during competitions. Vne is 200kt, but the fastest I ever go at any point in a sequence is 170kt, and that is when a half loop/roll off the top is called for. I enter vertical figures mostly between 120kt and 150kt, depending on whether I want to gain or lose height before the next figure.
I also made it my business to talk to Vans about aeros limitations and what I should specifically avoid, and what the reserves of strength really are. They said to just fly it within it's placarded limitations and you can't go wrong, but also to beware of pulling more than three G at the same time as applying full aileron, as this is where you run the risk of the inboard aileron hinge bracket rivets working cracks into the rear spar. This is easy to fly around. I also spoke to the gentleman who did the structural anaylsis of the 8 for the LAA, and he also said to fly it within its limits and I would be fine, but also not to countenance becoming a test pilot by taking it beyond the published limits. I recommend taking the time to look deeper than just the POH when getting to know your aeroplane and where its limitations lie.
I'm largely self-taught, though I've had some great coaching from Julian Murfitt, who is a great aeros instructor. I'm not saying this route is advisable for anyone else, just that I've done it, and shown that you can still win with the 'wrong' aeroplane and stay safe. It's very hard to find any aeros instructors who have competition experience and have strong experience of RV flying, in order to show you how to do it and stay safe. The teriffic Mike & Emily Collett at Waltham are probably the best people around in this respect. That said, there is a lot of rubbish talked about energy management(i.e. it builds up too quickly) being a challenge in RV's but I've not really found it to be a problem. Our wobbly prop is probably the reason why it's not a problem.
In summary, get the knowledge sorted to know where the dragons are in the aeroplane's envelope, then go and and fly around those dragons whilst gently stretching your own envelope a little further each time. Eventually that envelope will contain a big shiny trophy and a gold medal.
Last edited by Maxthelion on Sun Sep 09, 2018 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.