---------------------------------------------------------- RV8-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 02/04/06: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:56 PM - 8A handling and landing (Jim & Terri Truitt) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:56:22 PM PST US From: "Jim & Terri Truitt" Subject: RV8-List: 8A handling and landing --> RV8-List message posted by: "Jim & Terri Truitt" I have 240+ hours on my 8A and it is the only RV I have landed (transition trained in a 6, but no landings). I have landed my 8A in an eighteen knot direct crosswind (90 degrees) and in 23 knot wind 50 degrees off nose. Not to say they were the BEST landings, but doable without breaking anything. I got my pilot's license in a Cherokee 140. I think the 140 is pretty easy and straightforeward to land. The 8A lands extremely easy, more so than the 140 because it is more responsive and weighs less than the 140. I have considerable time in other "lighter" experimentals and in ultralights. I can't imagine it being any easier to land a plane of the same size and weight as an 8A. I get a little nose wheel shimmy on landing rollout but it doesn't affect lateral control or steering. Once planted on the runway, it's easy to keep it there under control. As far as taxing - forgetaboutit - it's the best. And I can swing my tail into just about any spot a tail dragger can. The only downfalls of the nose dragger are two things. First, it IS possible to drag your rudder if you are not careful under some circumstamces - like a heavy passenger on a washboard grass strip. With enough weight in the back seat, a little bump that nudges the nose gear up when at speed can put the nose high enough to drag the rudder if you are not careful. I learned this from another 8A pilot and friends before I first flew my 8A and I have never dragged mine. Being cognizant that it can happen and quick reactions on the stick make it a non-event. Second, since the nose gear is less robust than the main gear and does take a lot of pounding on bumps and under braking, it could break. It should be protected through good technique. You simply learn to use back stick when taking off and landing to ease the load on the nose gear. Not unlike some other nose gear aircraft. I land on the mains and hold the nose gear off as long as I can. I use back stick when braking. Simple enough. One other thing that may or may not be an indicator of ease of handling in the 8A. I have read numerous posts of guys getting only 100 to 150 hours on their tires before replacement (usually tail draggers). I land and take off 99% of the time on concrete and I still have my original factory tires. I'll probably get another 40-50 hours out of them. I think a lot has to do with the ease in landing. Just my 2 cents, YMMV.