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Dans RV8
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Date: 4-19-2006
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Number of Hours: 1.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Kit Pickup- More
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Flying was a joy. The airplane is quick on the controls, but not overly sensitive. A two inch stick deflection resulted into a rapid roll into a 60 degree bank (as intended). I didn't measure the roll rate, but it seemed pretty fast - comparable or faster than the Decathlon. Stalls were a bit more abrupt than most airplanes. There was some buffetting, but not much, before a sharp stall break. The stall speeds are very low - around 45K or so. Normal landings are up around 70K, so there should be few reasons to work near stall. Rudder control was very effective in stall. "Walking" the rudder kep the wings from dropping over. In an accelerated stall, the high wing dropped over briskly, but rudder control was effective.
In most ways, the flight was boring - what I expected of the airplane. I did decide that we need more power. 160HP is not what I want, especially flying over the Sierras. I discussed using the IO390. Gus Funnell, Vans Tech Support, cautioned about getting too heavy and getting the CG too far forward. But he did not say that it was too much engine. It looks like we get about 4/10K per horsepower, so adding 10HP will help cruise at 8000' by about 4K. It also gets about 20 feet per minute of climb per HP, so that is another 200 FPM at takeoff. It should help proportionally all the way up.
Driving the Monster truck was an equal "joy". Max speed was 70 mph, not a problem in OR and CA where the speed limit is 55 mph, but it was a drag in NV where trucks can go 65. Generally, we held to the speed limit. (Seems most truckers do). Even at 55, we got bounced around. Kind of like flying 12 hours in constant light, occasional moderate turbulance. Maybe mostly moderate. We never could put drinks, even half full, in the cup holders - they would always spill!
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