---------------------------------------------------------- RV4-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 06/05/04: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 03:22 PM - RV-4 Electric vs Manual trim & flaps (Frankhsmit@wmconnect.com) 2. 06:12 PM - Re: RV-4 Electric vs. Manual trim & Flaps (Oldsfolks@aol.com) 3. 06:28 PM - Re: Re: RV-4 Electric vs. Manual trim & Flaps (Greg Hunsicker) 4. 07:37 PM - > Re:Re; Electric vs Manual Flaps & Trim (Oldsfolks@aol.com) 5. 11:54 PM - Re: Re: RV4-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 05/30/04 (Gene Smith) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 03:22:05 PM PST US From: Frankhsmit@wmconnect.com Subject: RV4-List: RV-4 Electric vs Manual trim & flaps --> RV4-List message posted by: Frankhsmit@wmconnect.com I am a lurker, and probably enough said already, but I couldn't let this one pass. For anyone building or revamping the RV-4 I would strongly recommend electric for all. My current RV-4, which has 1400 hours over 11 years has had no failures in either. The MAC servos are mounted in the elevator, the aileron, and the rudder. I did use the matronics speed control for the elevator. It gives very precise control of attitude. A quick touch of the switch will give a barely perceptible movement of the airplane. The same goes for the aileron control. This has a tab on the aileron. I haven't had any experience with the spring loading of the stick system. On the quick movement possible with the manual flaps, this is a good point, but not really necessary in the RV-4. This is such a good, easy to fly airplane, that you don't really need flaps. Try a few landings without them. If you have to use them, you can slowly retract them on final with electrics. This is the third RV-4 that I have built. The first was all manual. Believe me if you have a big guy with big feet in the back, getting the lever into the notch will be a problem, a problem you don't need on final. Also as I recall the plane has to be slowed down quite a bit before you can get the lever into that last notch. With the electric I can start them down at 100K. The manual was such a problem that I retrofitted the electric to this plane. So in summary the electric is safer(easier to operate), lighter, and more precise. This is why Van went to it in all his new airplanes. It's better, IMHO. As far as windy, especially crosswind conditions are concerned, I don't use flaps, as I have better control without them. FWIW Frank ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:12:58 PM PST US From: Oldsfolks@aol.com Subject: RV4-List: Re: RV-4 Electric vs. Manual trim & Flaps --> RV4-List message posted by: Oldsfolks@aol.com I have to agree with Rob Ray on the Manual flaps and trim. If you are flying into short and rough strips you need to be able to get positive results, NOW !! If all your flying is from long paved runways , then the electric may be okay,if you like that - I don't. My grass strip is 1100 feet long ,with approach between trees, and I have to be pretty precise with touchdown point and flap retract in order to get braking,if needed. Van's says 100 MPH for flaps and I find that is quite sastisfactory. Forcing the flaps at higher speed puts extra stress on structures which don't need it. If you fly a decent approach you don't need the flaps at higher speeds. I always use full flaps for landings for the slowest touchdown speed so I'm not adding unecessary stress and loads on the plane. I can land diagonally across most runways with less crosswind component,when I am as slow as possible. This has worked well for me for 8,000 + hours of bush type flying,with 760 of that in our RV-4's. My preference for your consideration, Bob Olds RV-4 , N1191X A&P , EAA Tech. Counselor Charleston,Arkansas Real Aviators Fly Taildraggers ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:28:15 PM PST US From: Greg Hunsicker Subject: RE: RV4-List: Re: RV-4 Electric vs. Manual trim & Flaps --> RV4-List message posted by: Greg Hunsicker Shh! You're gonna wake up Smokey then we will all have to hear more about F-16's that really have nothing to do with RV's. In good humor! LOL Greg Hunsicker -----Original Message----- From: owner-rv4-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv4-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Oldsfolks@aol.com Subject: RV4-List: Re: RV-4 Electric vs. Manual trim & Flaps --> RV4-List message posted by: Oldsfolks@aol.com I have to agree with Rob Ray on the Manual flaps and trim. If you are flying into short and rough strips you need to be able to get positive results, NOW !! If all your flying is from long paved runways , then the electric may be okay,if you like that - I don't. My grass strip is 1100 feet long ,with approach between trees, and I have to be pretty precise with touchdown point and flap retract in order to get braking,if needed. Van's says 100 MPH for flaps and I find that is quite sastisfactory. Forcing the flaps at higher speed puts extra stress on structures which don't need it. If you fly a decent approach you don't need the flaps at higher speeds. I always use full flaps for landings for the slowest touchdown speed so I'm not adding unecessary stress and loads on the plane. I can land diagonally across most runways with less crosswind component,when I am as slow as possible. This has worked well for me for 8,000 + hours of bush type flying,with 760 of that in our RV-4's. My preference for your consideration, Bob Olds RV-4 , N1191X A&P , EAA Tech. Counselor Charleston,Arkansas Real Aviators Fly Taildraggers == == == == ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:37:29 PM PST US From: Oldsfolks@aol.com Subject: RV4-List: > Re:Re; Electric vs Manual Flaps & Trim --> RV4-List message posted by: Oldsfolks@aol.com Sorry Greg; I figured the working older folks had gone to bed by now. do not archive Bob Olds RV-4 , N1191X A&P , EAA Tech. Counselor Charleston,Arkansas Real Aviators Fly Taildraggers ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 11:54:01 PM PST US From: "Gene Smith" Subject: Re: RV4-List: Re: RV4-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 05/30/04 --> RV4-List message posted by: "Gene Smith" I agree with you on the manual trim and flaps...It hardly seems necessary on the -4 On the duct tape for the oil cooler situation, I meant to say use METAL duct tape...There is aluminum and stainless in most hardware stores...................CHEERS!!!!...................Gene Smith. ----- Original Message ----- From: "rob ray" Subject: RV4-List: Re: RV4-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 05/30/04 > --> RV4-List message posted by: rob ray > > Take it from me, I would leave the manual trim setup with a lever in the RV4. This coming from someone spoiled by electric trim all his life in the F16 and 737. The RV's just don't need electric trim and the manual trim is trouble free....the same goes for the manual flaps...just my humble opinion. > > Rob Ray > > 1400 hours RV4 > "manual pilot" > > RV4-List Digest Server wrote: > * > > ================================================== > Online Versions of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================== > > Today's complete RV4-List Digest can be also be found in either > of the two Web Links listed below. The .html file includes the Digest > formatted in HTML for viewing with a web browser and features Hyperlinked > Indexes and Message Navigation. The .txt file includes the plain ASCII > version of the RV4-List Digest and can be viewed with a generic > text editor such as Notepad or with a web browser. > > HTML Version: > > > Text Version: > > > ================================================ > EMail Version of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================ > > > RV4-List Digest Archive > --- > Total Messages Posted Sun 05/30/04: 2 > > > Today's Message Index: > ---------------------- > > 1. 04:52 PM - Electric Manual Trim? (Dave Durakovich) > 2. 05:33 PM - Re: Electric Manual Trim? (CBRxxDRV@aol.com) > > > ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 04:52:51 PM PST US > From: Dave Durakovich > > Subject: RV4-List: Electric Manual Trim? > > --> RV4-List message posted by: Dave Durakovich > > > Been lurking for awhile, and decided it's time to come out of the closet! > > As a new builder of a -4: > > Old airplane, started in 1989, > I'm the 5th owner, and probably only the 2nd owner to actually do anything, > This bird probably has more miles on it than my Cherokee, > Nearly done and I still have more pieces than I know what to do with! > > I'm at the stage of installing cockpit controls. As acquired this bird was set > up with the manual elevator trim. And while I have nothing against the manual > trim, I'm not thrilled about the location of the control. Hence, my question. > > I realize I can pull the existing manual push/pull cable out and go with a servo. > However, since it's already there, what about just mounting a servo in place > of the manual lever? There seems to be minimal drag on the cable alone, and > I may need to fab a bracket to get the correct travel. I suspect there will be > little weight penalty, if any, but I'm just not sure of the additional force > required. > > Has anyone tried this? Any of you guys out there want to venture a guess? > > Thanks, > > Dave Durakovich > > > --------------------------------- > > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 05:33:16 PM PST US > From: CBRxxDRV@aol.com > Subject: Re: RV4-List: Electric Manual Trim? > > --> RV4-List message posted by: CBRxxDRV@aol.com > > In a message dated 5/30/04 7:53:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > ddurakovich@yahoo.com writes: > > > > I realize I can pull the existing manual push/pull cable out and go with a > > servo. However, since it's already there, what about just mounting a servo in > > > place of the manual lever? There seems to be minimal drag on the cable > > alone, and I may need to fab a bracket to get the correct travel. I suspect there > > > will be little weight penalty, if any, but I'm just not sure of the > > additional force required. > > > > My -4 has the trim servo mounted at the end of the trim cable. > I figure it was done the same time the owner added electric flaps. > There is no trim handle, makes service easy I would guess. It seems to > work just fine. (mounted below throttle on left side of cockpit) > > > Sal Capra > Lakeland, FL > My Home Page > http://hometown.aol.com/cbrxxdrv/index.html > > > --------------------------------- > >