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Jims RV-8
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Date:  3-27-2015
Number of Hours:  0.00
Manual Reference:  mod
Brief Description:  Why the one piece Grove gear modification? (Pt.2)

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While I won't go into great detail, the inherent geometry of ALL tail draggers (like the RV-8) means that the center of gravity is close to the front wheels and far from the steering wheel (in the back) which increases the probability of ground loops. In contrast, tricycle gear airplanes have the steering wheel in front of the center of gravity - and therefore they are more stable in cross winds.

To understand this concept, the next time you are at the grocery store, take a grocery cart and push it backwards, from the front of the cart with the stationary wheels in front and the steering wheels in the back, like a taildragger. It's not too hard to do as long as you are going straight and making small steering adjustments. However, if you were to start around the corner at the end of the aisle, and then give the grocery cart a good shove - the back of the cart would swing around to the front and you would probably hit the donuts...You have just experienced a ground loop. Grocery carts and airplanes are more stable, on the ground, with the steering wheel/wheels in the front.

There have been a few ground loop/side load accidents in RV-8's that have caused significant damage to the airplane. I consider myself a good pilot, and I will be a careful tail wheel pilot. But accidents do happen. My decision to go with the 1 piece gear is a little added margin in case of a landing crosswind gust at the wrong time. This solution is not a pancea, just a little extra margin for error. It is more expensive, but the tradeoff works for me.

For a more in depth discussion on the one piece gear, with comments by long time builders, flyers and even an Aeronautical Engineer, copy and paste the following link in your browser:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=74993

For a great taildragger book, read, “The Compleat Taildragger Pilot” by Harvey S. Plourde

Below Images courtesy of Dan Horton!
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