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I don't think that it's the weight. You'll find that the -4 gets even lighter when it gets heavier (cg goes aft). I don't know why, but I've flown several -6's & they just don't handle the same as a -4. Neither do the -8's. I wonder if Van designed out a bit of the responsiveness when he realized that a wider span of the pilot population would be flying his designs.
Charlie
Mike Wills wrote:
Charlie,
I've heard the same about the RV-3. I always assumed that the handling improvement as you progressed (digressed?) from -6 to -4 to -3 was due to the lighter airframes of the -4 and especially the -3. But my -4 is a bit of a pig and only about 30 pounds lighter than my -6A was. I'm convinced that there's a definite difference in the handling that I dont think can be attributed to being just 30 pounds lighter. Maybe its just the perspective of sitting on the centerline. Or maybe the perception is clouded by 13 years worth of building. Anyway, I'm not complaining. :-)
Do you hear anything from Chuck these days? He seems to have fallen off the face of the earth.
Mike Wills
RV-4 N144MW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlie England" <ceengland@bellsouth.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 10:38 AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Second flight
Mike Wills wrote:
>snipped>
Other impressions. The airplane is loud, but not painfully so. At least not from the pilot's seat. The handling and control power still seem quite a bit better than my RV-6A (which was great). Not really clear why but most of my flying in the -6A I had someone in the right seat so maybe the weight? Other than the rudder, the airplane flies perfectly straight.
All things considered I'm real happy. This flight was considerably less stressful than the first and I actually was able to enjoy it. I honestly dont remember a lot of the first flight. Also, I took my glider data logger with me on this flight. I havent downloaded it yet, but when I do I'll know more about speeds, climb rate, etc.
Dont know how you guys feel about these flight reports. Give me some feedback if you want more as my testing progresses. I know that I like reading about other's flight experiences as it motivated me to keep going. After 13 years of building I'll tell you, its worth it. Now I wish I'd pressed harder to get it done sooner.
Next flight will have to wait until I get gear leg stiffeners added. Classic RV - pretty bad shimmy on the roll out after landing. 38.5 hours to go!
Mike Wills
RV-4 N144MW
Hi Mike,
Keep 'em coming; that's how I learn.
RV handling: As nice as the -6's handling is, it's nothing compared to a -4 (I'm currently flying my 2nd one, purchased from Chuck Dunlap). I've heard that the -3 is even better than the -4; if anyone wants to let me fly one to find out for myself, just let me know.
Charlie
RV-7 finish kit stage
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