---------------------------------------------------------- RV8-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 10/26/10: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:57 PM - RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency (Alan Searle) 2. 08:34 PM - Re: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency (Matt Dralle) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:57:03 PM PST US From: Alan Searle Subject: RV8-List: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency In the past there have been quite a few postings about landing the RV8 and controllability. Since completing my "8" I have had difficulty controlling the landing roll on three occasions which, each time resulted in a ground loop. On each occasion the excursion was to the right (strong Xwind from the right) but I expect that is a co-incidence. The ground loop was through approx 270 degrees and quite stable with both wheels on the ground without a wing drop but nothing that I did would bring it back under control. Now I am not unused to tailwheel flying having learned to fly in Tiger Moths and flown many TW types through the years (still current on DC3s.) I am not able to tell you what the Xwind component was except that each time it would have been over 15 kts or so, on 2 of the occasions probably 20 kts. Investigating began with wheel alignment check and that seemed OK and I was inclined to blame the tail wheel (Vans) and the breakout when lots of rudder is applied. Then the investigation progressed to the rudder pedals and I found the problem. My aircraft is fitted with Vans adjustable rudder pedals. Some time ago a large person had tried the seating to see if there was enough room for himself should he build one. He had adjusted the pedals to the most forward position and they were never put back to the original setting. When maximum rudder movement is applied, the pedal is pushed to the firewall ,thereby prohibiting full rudder or brake application ( see the photo below). I have found that in order to achieve the required movement of both, the pedals must be no further forward than the third last hole of the adjustment bar. (photo ) For What it is worth... hoping someone will benefit from this post. Alan Searle 81280 180 hours. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 08:34:16 PM PST US From: Matt Dralle Subject: Re: RV8-List: RV8 Rudder Pedal Deficiency How many washers do you have under the I-Bolts that attach to the rudder cables and go through the firewall? I have the maximum number with the I-Bolts all the way against the firewall on the cockpit side. This adjusts the angle of the peddle and will give you more or less throw. I have my peddles set to the max-tall-guy setting (closest to the FW), and have never had a problem with getting enough throw on roll out. I recently landed with a 22 knot 90 degree cross wind without too much problem. I find that making wheel landings makes X-wind landings a lot less scary. - Matt Dralle RV-8 #82880 N998RV http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's RV-8 Construction Log http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel Status: 111+ Hours TTSN - The Fun Never Stops... At 06:53 PM 10/26/2010 Tuesday, you wrote: >In the past there have been quite a few postings about landing the RV8 and controllability. Since completing my "8" I have had difficulty controlling the landing roll on three occasions which, each time resulted in a ground loop. On each occasion the excursion was to the right (strong Xwind from the right) but I expect that is a co-incidence. The ground loop was through approx 270 degrees and quite stable with both wheels on the ground without a wing drop but nothing that I did would bring it back under control. Now I am not unused to tailwheel flying having learned to fly in Tiger Moths and flown many TW types through the years (still current on DC3s.) > >I am not able to tell you what the Xwind component was except that each time it would have been over 15 kts or so, on 2 of the occasions probably 20 kts. > >Investigating began with wheel alignment check and that seemed OK and I was inclined to blame the tail wheel (Vans) and the breakout when lots of rudder is applied. Then the investigation progressed to the rudder pedals and I found the problem. > >My aircraft is fitted with Vans adjustable rudder pedals. Some time ago a large person had tried the seating to see if there was enough room for himself should he build one. He had adjusted the pedals to the most forward position and they were never put back to the original setting. When maximum rudder movement is applied, the pedal is pushed to the firewall ,thereby prohibiting full rudder or brake application ( see the photo below). I have found that in order to achieve the required movement of both, the pedals must be no further forward than > the third last hole of the adjustment bar. (photo ) > > >For What it is worth... hoping someone will benefit from this post. > >Alan Searle 81280 180 hours. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message rv8-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/RV8-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/rv8-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/rv8-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.