---------------------------------------------------------- RV4-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 06/02/03: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 03:16 PM - Re: RV8 vert stab on RV4 (GRENIER@aol.com) 2. 05:55 PM - Fish tail (Tom and Faye) 3. 06:19 PM - Re: Fish tail (BrownScottA@aol.com) 4. 07:54 PM - Re: Fish tail (Scott Vanartsdalen) 5. 09:04 PM - Re: Fish tail (WMartensJr@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 03:16:57 PM PST US From: GRENIER@aol.com Subject: Re: RV4-List: RV8 vert stab on RV4 --> RV4-List message posted by: GRENIER@aol.com Scott, I have both a RV-8 vert and horiz stab on my 4. So far, 40 hours, I'm not aware of any tail swing. However, I never have flown a standard 4. Let me know if you want any more details. Ray Grenier RV-4-8 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:55:09 PM PST US From: "Tom and Faye" Subject: RV4-List: Fish tail --> RV4-List message posted by: "Tom and Faye" I have had two RV4s, one I built and one I bought. Never heard of fish tailing. Is it something to do with the bigger O360? Tom Rupe SN 62 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:19:56 PM PST US From: BrownScottA@aol.com Subject: Re: RV4-List: Fish tail --> RV4-List message posted by: BrownScottA@aol.com In a message dated 6/2/2003 9:02:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tcrupe@ridgenet.net writes: > I have had two RV4s, one I built and one I bought. Never heard of fish > tailing. Is it something to do with the bigger O360? > > Tom Rupe > SN 62 > > > No,I don't think so at least. Sometimes during turbulence I can feel the tail of the plane wagging back and forth. It is not so noticeable from the front seat, but from the rear it is much more pronounced. I have heard of some people putting RV8 vert stabs on their -4 to minimize this. I am wondering if there are more people out there that have done this and could tell me if there was an appreciable difference. Scott ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:54:16 PM PST US From: Scott Vanartsdalen Subject: Re: RV4-List: Fish tail --> RV4-List message posted by: Scott Vanartsdalen I've only got 20 hours on my completed RV-4 but I know what he's talking about. In turbulence mine tends to wag it's tail a lot. Tom and Faye wrote:--> RV4-List message posted by: "Tom and Faye" I have had two RV4s, one I built and one I bought. Never heard of fish tailing. Is it something to do with the bigger O360? Tom Rupe SN 62 -- Scott VanArtsdalen RV-4 N311SV, FLYING!! bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you Luke 6:28, NAS --------------------------------- Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:04:43 PM PST US From: WMartensJr@aol.com Subject: Re: RV4-List: Fish tail --> RV4-List message posted by: WMartensJr@aol.com It's a common result of turbulated airflow separating off of a bubble canopy. That's why there is a leading edge strake in front of the vertical stab. Look back at early models of the P-51 and you'll see there was no strake or the P-47. Both aircraft needed that strake for stability from that disrupted airflow. Now, the strake designed in the RV series should compensate enough for most turbulence. If your aircraft is experiencing a "fishtail" action in normal cruise flight you might consider examining the trim. I'd think if you were trimmed at an abnormally or even moderate nose-high situation in normal level cruise it might cause in increased propensity to separate airflow early and increase turbulence. I could be wrong. Just been perusing some old books since this subject came up and this came to mind. It's all difficult to judge though. What you notice as enough to warrant consideration might be normal for the RV fleet. I've only flown in two and as a passenger both times so I'm hardly a definitive source of information. If anyone has experience in multiple RV's or knowledge/skill in this area I'd be interested in learning more. Not because I think there is any problem with RV's in this regard but just cause I'm interested in learning more about the airflows. Regards, Walt PS: Popping back into lurk mode. In a message dated 6/2/2003 10:54:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, svanarts@yahoo.com writes: > I've only got 20 hours on my completed RV-4 but I know what he's talking > about. In turbulence mine tends to wag it's tail a lot. > > Tom and Faye wrote:--> RV4-List message posted by: > "Tom and Faye" > > I have had two RV4s, one I built and one I bought. Never heard of fish > tailing. Is it something to do with the bigger O360?