Thinking about jumping into a RV-4

[Blue]

I went up with a buddy in his RV-4 awhile back and had a blast. I've never thought too much about the whole homebuilt arena, but this flight got me interested.

Planes like the RV-4 seem to be a good deal. They're affordable (relatively speaking of course), they've got some decent legs, and their can pull some G's and do some acro.

How much experiece does one need to get into something like an RV-4? Obviously a PPL with a tailwheel endorsement, bur what kind of experience would I need so that I'm not in over my head.

 

[USMCmech]

I went up with a buddy in his RV-4 awhile back and had a blast. I've never thought too much about the whole homebuilt arena, but this flight got me interested.

Planes like the RV-4 seem to be a good deal. They're affordable (relatively speaking of course), they've got some decent legs, and their can pull some G's and do some acro.

How much experiece does one need to get into something like an RV-4? Obviously a PPL with a tailwheel endorsement, bur what kind of experience would I need so that I'm not in over my head.

From everything I have heard, the RVs are very nice handeling airplanes. Most new pilots are behind the plane for the first few takeoffs, they happen fast! Otherwise it's no more challenging than any other taildrager.

I would be very cautious buying a homebuilt. I persoanlly wouldn't buy one from anybody I didn't know well. Ther is nothing wrong with the design, but the craftsmanship can vary a great deal. I have seen some beautifull planes, and I have seen some crappy ones.

 

[TDTURBO]

How much experience? Depends on if you want to beat around the pattern or fly aerobatics. Most pilots when I learned how to fly, learned in a cub, (tailwheel). I wouldn't think an RV-4 would be too much airplane for a starter. I love the RV's, great airplane, go for it!


I would get a few hundred hrs under your belt, some solid professional training and some canopy time before doing aerobatics in anything.

 

[avbug]

Canopy time?

 

[Bluto]

I think he means an airplane with a bubble-canopy, not a parachute. I would recommend some type-specific training, the RV website has a long list of instructors that are experienced in RV's. Nice airplane.

 

[avbug]

What on earth does having a bubble canopy have to do with the price of tea in china when it comes to flying an airplane?

 

[FracCapt]

What on earth does having a bubble canopy have to do with the price of tea in china when it comes to flying an airplane?

Maybe some people get scared when they don't have any metal above their head, and they have so much better visibility than in a Cessna...? I didn't get that one either.

 

[hotwings402]

I moved into a RV-4 without a checkout of anything after about 600 hours of TW time and about 1600 TT. RVs are easy to land and takeoff, hard to groundloop COMPARED to cubs, c140s c170s etc. The only thing I can say is don't get it slow on landing approach as the one I flew got kinda tricky. (behind the power curve more than a traditional plane). It is not a C-172, I'd recommend some slippery airplane time/hi po time before the jump. Things happen faster, its very sensitive but balanced on the controls, and not the easiest to slow down, but the transition is quick.

 

[Immelman]

I have almost bought two of them used. Lesson learned: You get what you pay for!! Find a good A&P who has dealt with homebuilts to do the pre-purchase, if you're buying used... a lot of builders will make an otherwise nice-looking airplane (good job on riveting, everything is straight) and do horrible things like have control cables improperly routed in places that you won't see them in your initial inspection (CHAFING!), route wiring too close to exhaust, etc... subtle stuff... things I thought I would recognize but DIDNT.

I would still love to own one of these aircraft some day, but be prepared to pass up a lot before you find one that a meticulous A&P deems airworthy.

 

[USAFftrplt]

I would be very cautious buying a homebuilt. I persoanlly wouldn't buy one from anybody I didn't know well. Ther is nothing wrong with the design, but the craftsmanship can vary a great deal. I have seen some beautifull planes, and I have seen some crappy ones.

I have heard this too..but for someone like me who doesnt have the time to dedicate towards building one (wish I did)...is there a good way to go about buying one? Also does anyone know a good source to find some for sale? Ive looked everywhere but they are hard to find

 

[TDTURBO]

What on earth does having a bubble canopy have to do with the price of tea in china when it comes to flying an airplane?

Last I checked you needed a parachute when doing aerobatics, I think it wise you know how to use it.

 

[EatSleepFly]

Deleted.

 

[transpac]

Last I checked you needed a parachute when doing aerobatics, I think it wise you know how to use it.

You might want to check again.

P.S. What does this have to do with "canopy time"?

 

[TDTURBO]

You might want to check again.

P.S. What does this have to do with "canopy time"?

Maybe it could have been pointed out more clearly, Canopy time=parachute time.

Or time under canopy, maybe I am using the wrong termonology, but when did they change the regs that don't require a parachute for aerobatics?

Even if they did, a low time pilot contemplating doing these manuevers should do a few jumps to learn what it's like. Granted, low level aerbatics having a parachute won't do you much good, but I am confident, as he is learning, thses manuevers will be done at high altitude where jumpnig experience might save his bacon, that's all.

 

[Blue]

I thought you needed parachutes any time you were doing aerobatics, as per the FAR's.



Also, as far as finding a good-quality build, I've come to the realization that that is going to be difficult. I've seen a few ads with nice looking pictures, a good price, but then a misspelling in the ad. You gotta ask yourself, if this guy hasn't got the attention to detail to spell everything correctly, I wonder what the build quality is like?

 

[xjcaptain]

I thought you needed parachutes any time you were doing aerobatics, as per the FAR's.

Actually, just as long as you are flying solo, no parachute is legally required. Sure might be a good idea, but thats another entire argument...legal vs safe.

Look at 91.307 (c).


§ 91.307 Parachutes and parachuting.

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(a) No pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a parachute that is available for emergency use to be carried in that aircraft unless it is an approved type and—

(1) If a chair type (canopy in back), it has been packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger within the preceding 120 days; or

(2) If any other type, it has been packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger—

(i) Within the preceding 120 days, if its canopy, shrouds, and harness are composed exclusively of nylon, rayon, or other similar synthetic fiber or materials that are substantially resistant to damage from mold, mildew, or other fungi and other rotting agents propagated in a moist environment; or

(ii) Within the preceding 60 days, if any part of the parachute is composed of silk, pongee, or other natural fiber, or materials not specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.

(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot in command may allow, and no person may conduct, a parachute operation from an aircraft within the United States except in accordance with part 105 of this chapter.

(c) Unless each occupant of the aircraft is wearing an approved parachute, no pilot of a civil aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) may execute any intentional maneuver that exceeds—

(1) A bank of 60 degrees relative to the horizon; or

(2) A nose-up or nose-down attitude of 30 degrees relative to the horizon.

(d) Paragraph (c) of this section does not apply to—

(1) Flight tests for pilot certification or rating; or

(2) Spins and other flight maneuvers required by the regulations for any certificate or rating when given by—

(i) A certificated flight instructor; or

(ii) An airline transport pilot instructing in accordance with §61.67 of this chapter.

(e) For the purposes of this section, approved parachute means—

(1) A parachute manufactured under a type certificate or a technical standard order (C–23 series); or

(2) A personnel-carrying military parachute identified by an NAF, AAF, or AN drawing number, an AAF order number, or any other military designation or specification number.

[Doc. No. 18334, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91–255, 62 FR 68137, Dec. 30, 1997; Amdt. 91–268, 66 FR 23553, May 9, 2001]

 

[avbug]

Last I checked you needed a parachute when doing aerobatics, I think it wise you know how to use it.

True enough. If one is going to carry a parachute, one should know how to use it.

Weather one should be doing aerobatics in the RV-4 is another matter.

 

[jbDC9]

Weather one should be doing aerobatics in the RV-4 is another matter.

So... what's wrong with doing acro in an RV-4?

 

[Blue]

Weather one should be doing aerobatics in the RV-4 is another matter.

Yeah, what's wrong with aerobatics in an RV-4?

 

[KigAir]

I've heard that it's easy to exceed the G limitation because they are extremely clean aerodynamically. I don't know if this true or not.

 

[mtrv]

I've heard that it's easy to exceed the G limitation because they are extremely clean aerodynamically. I don't know if this true or not.

They do pick up speed going downhill rather fast, and can easily get to the maximum manuvering speed quickly. Loops, rolls, and manuvers of this type are okay. There are plenty of published entry speeds to help keep everything in the ballpark.

 

[hotwings402]

Yea, I rolled one once, I started it too fast and let the nose drop on the bottom, picked ALOT of speed quick. All I can say is its not a Citabria or a C-150 acrobat. Be careful.