CFI question ?

[Larry DeCamp]

Need to decide what controls to install in rear seat for a biennial in my RV4 project. Will a CFI be comfortable with throttle and rudder pedals. I rent a 172 or Decathalon since I am flying a -3 now. Would be nice to use my -4 in the future . Your perspective would be appreciated.

[Dan B]

FAR 91.109 requires “fully functional dual controls”. I require the same to give a flight review.

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

Depends on the CFI. Given the limited visibility in the back of the RV-4, my guess is that probably few would want to do that. I gave aerobatic dual from the back of a Decathlon, but I did the takeoffs and landings, not the student.

If you get your flight reviews in a different airplane with different handling characteristics and sight pictures, you may learn unexpected things. It's also the case that if you fly the same plane all the time, you'll start doing things "open loop" and putting in control inputs that you know from experience are correct, rather than feeling what the airplane is telling you.

Ed

[dsmith1055]

I am an RV4 builder and a CFI with 3000 hrs instructor time. I have instructed from the rear seat of Decathalons, Pitts, and others. I put a friend in the front of my RV4 and did several take offs and landings. The lack of brakes, limited rudder pedal travel, and poor visibility convinced me not to attempt instruction from the rear seat in my airplane. The lack of brakes and full rudder probably makes it illegal anyway.

[Larry DeCamp]

Case closed. The -4 will get a removable rear stick (with bolt of course ), for the grand children to learn what makes a REAL Airplane turn, LOL.

[sibriggs]

Current ruling and write up from AOPA.

https://www.aopa.org/advocacy/advoca...-dual-controls

[N941WR]

OK, I just read FAR Part 61, Section 56 which covers Flight Reviews.

As I suspected, there is no requirement for the CFI to even be in the plane.

This matches what a friend with an RV3 used to do. He would take off and the instructor would stand on the ground with a handheld radio and tell the pilot what he wanted the pilot to do. (Mostly aerobatic maneuvers, it was always a great show!)

That said, good luck finding a CFI who will work with you.

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

One more thought -- some folks build their planes for left seat PIC, with throttle etc on the left sidewall. That might be interesting to give dual in... :-)

[Bill Boyd]

So now the instructor has to fly wing alongside your RV-3

[Vac]

Depends on the instructor and the pilot receiving instruction. I'm height challenged and comfortable flying the -4 or -8 from the rear cockpit and will give instruction from the trunk if the airplane is equipped with dual controls. I'm also comfortable instructing on the wing (i.e., flying in the wing position with the student in their own airplane); assuming the pilot is appropriately qualified to operate solo.