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alan(at)airweigh.com.au
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 Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:57 pm Post subject: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency |
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In the past there have been quite a few postings about landing the RV8 and controllability. Since completing my "8" I have had difficulty controlling the landing roll on three occasions which, each time resulted in a ground loop. On each occasion the excursion was to the right (strong Xwind from the right) but I expect that is a co-incidence. The ground loop was through approx 270 degrees and quite stable with both wheels on the ground without a wing drop but nothing that I did would bring it back under control. Now I am not unused to tailwheel flying having learned to fly in Tiger Moths and flown many TW types through the years (still current on DC3s.)
I am not able to tell you what the Xwind component was except that each time it would have been over 15 kts or so, on 2 of the occasions probably 20 kts.
Investigating began with wheel alignment check and that seemed OK and I was inclined to blame the tail wheel (Vans) and the breakout when lots of rudder is applied. Then the investigation progressed to the rudder pedals and I found the problem.
My aircraft is fitted with Vans adjustable rudder pedals. Some time ago a large person had tried the seating to see if there was enough room for himself should he build one. He had adjusted the pedals to the most forward position and they were never put back to the original setting. When maximum rudder movement is applied, the pedal is pushed to the firewall ,thereby prohibiting full rudder or brake application ( see the photo below). I have found that in order to achieve the required movement of both, the pedals must be no further forward than
the third last hole of the adjustment bar. (photo )
For What it is worth... hoping someone will benefit from this post.
Alan Searle 81280 180 hours.
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Matt Dralle
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Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25704
Location: Livermore CA USA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency |
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How many washers do you have under the I-Bolts that attach to the rudder cables and go through the firewall? I have the maximum number with the I-Bolts all the way against the firewall on the cockpit side. This adjusts the angle of the peddle and will give you more or less throw. I have my peddles set to the max-tall-guy setting (closest to the FW), and have never had a problem with getting enough throw on roll out. I recently landed with a 22 knot 90 degree cross wind without too much problem. I find that making wheel landings makes X-wind landings a lot less scary.
-
Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880 N998RV
http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's RV-8 Construction Log
http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel
Status: 111+ Hours TTSN - The Fun Never Stops...
At 06:53 PM 10/26/2010 Tuesday, you wrote:
| Quote: | In the past there have been quite a few postings about landing the RV8 and controllability. Since completing my "8" I have had difficulty controlling the landing roll on three occasions which, each time resulted in a ground loop. On each occasion the excursion was to the right (strong Xwind from the right) but I expect that is a co-incidence. The ground loop was through approx 270 degrees and quite stable with both wheels on the ground without a wing drop but nothing that I did would bring it back under control. Now I am not unused to tailwheel flying having learned to fly in Tiger Moths and flown many TW types through the years (still current on DC3s.)
I am not able to tell you what the Xwind component was except that each time it would have been over 15 kts or so, on 2 of the occasions probably 20 kts.
Investigating began with wheel alignment check and that seemed OK and I was inclined to blame the tail wheel (Vans) and the breakout when lots of rudder is applied. Then the investigation progressed to the rudder pedals and I found the problem.
My aircraft is fitted with Vans adjustable rudder pedals. Some time ago a large person had tried the seating to see if there was enough room for himself should he build one. He had adjusted the pedals to the most forward position and they were never put back to the original setting. When maximum rudder movement is applied, the pedal is pushed to the firewall ,thereby prohibiting full rudder or brake application ( see the photo below). I have found that in order to achieve the required movement of both, the pedals must be no further forward than
the third last hole of the adjustment bar. (photo )
For What it is worth... hoping someone will benefit from this post.
Alan Searle 81280 180 hours.
|
| | - The Matronics RV8-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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Matt Dralle
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amorgan53(at)charter.net
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| Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:46 pm Post subject: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency |
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Thanks Alan. Being a large guy myself, something to keep in mind.
--
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Speedy11(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:04 am Post subject: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency |
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Alan,
I've discovered the same problem on my aircraft, but mine is an A so the drama is not as traumatic.
I also limit myself to the third from last adjustment hole. I installed a 1/4" push button locking pin in place of Van's pull-to-adjust system. That way changing the adjustment requires a bit more effort and it is not likely to be reset from my ideal location. It can be changed in flight, but only with difficulty.
I've also encountered situations where, with full rudder displacement, my shoe got wedged between the pedal and the floor or sidewall. It took a lot of attention and a lot of force to unwedge the shoe. Not too much problem during taxi, but if it happened during landing, things could get exciting during the second or two required for unjamming.
Stan Sutterfield
| Quote: | In the past there have been quite a few postings about landing the RV8
and controllability. Since completing my "8" I have had difficulty
controlling the landing roll on three occasions which, each time
resulted in a ground loop. On each occasion the excursion was to the
right (strong Xwind from the right) but I expect that is a
co-incidence. The ground loop was through approx 270 degrees and
quite stable with both wheels on the ground without a wing drop but
nothing that I did would bring it back under control. Now I am not
unused to tailwheel flying having learned to fly in Tiger Moths and
flown many TW types through the years (still current on DC3s.)
I am not able to tell you what the Xwind component was except that each
time it would have been over 15 kts or so, on 2 of the occasions
probably 20 kts.
Investigating began with wheel alignment check and that seemed OK and I
was inclined to blame the tail wheel (Vans) and the breakout when lots
of rudder is applied. Then the investigation progressed to the rudder
pedals and I found the problem.
My aircraft is fitted with Vans adjustable rudder pedals. Some time ago
a large person had tried the seating to see if there was enough room for
himself should he build one. He had adjusted the pedals to the most
forward position and they were never put back to the original setting.
When maximum rudder movement is applied, the pedal is pushed to the
firewall ,thereby prohibiting full rudder or brake application ( see
the photo below). I have found that in order to achieve the required
movement of both, the pedals must be no further forward than
the third last hole of the adjustment bar. (photo )
For What it is worth... hoping someone will benefit from this post.
Alan Searle 81280 180 hours.
How many washers do you have under the I-Bolts that attach to the rudder cables
and go through the firewall? I have the maximum number with the I-Bolts all
the way against the firewall on the cockpit side. This adjusts the angle of the
peddle and will give you more or less throw. I have my peddles set to the
max-tall-guy setting (closest to the FW), and have never had a problem with getting
enough throw on roll out. I recently landed with a 22 knot 90 degree cross
wind without too much problem. I find that making wheel landings makes X-wind
landings a lot less scary.
|
[quote][b]
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV8-List |
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