1flyingyogi
Well Known Member
Hi guys. So after looking for one since December, I finally got a good one! I just finished up my check-out with Mike Seager in Oregon two weeks ago, had another CFI fly with me in the back twice when I got back (just to be extra sure that everything would go smoothly), and had my second solo flight this morning. The plane is a blast to fly!!!
But I do have a few points of concern that maybe someone can chime in on. I'm finding that it requires a lot of up-trim just to fly level in cruise. (I should have taken a picture of the trim position after landing) And the difference b/t flaps and no flaps is a lot of trim (about 14 half turns!). In the RV-7 in Oregon, it was only 3 half-turns for trim b/t flaps and no flaps.
The plane to me, feels nose-heavy (CG too far forward). The two times I flew with someone in the back, the plane actually flies better (although heavier). Better meaning it does not require a huge amount of up-trim to stay level and the difference b/t flaps and no flaps is only about 4-6 half-turns (instead of 14). And overall it just felt more neutral and power changes don't affect level flight as much. Is this normal for RV-4s or does this indicate a too far forward CG or something else?
Also, I'm finding that it requires a huge amount of right rudder to stay coordinated. On climb-out, I would say it takes almost 70% deflection of right rudder to stay coordinated. And this is with already putting in a lot of rudder trim on the trim tab. And even level flight requires constant right rudder to stay coordinated. With power at idle, then it's neutral or slightly left rudder. Is this normal or could it be the engine thrust angle being off? (not enough right engine thrust). I don't know much about full-scale, but in RC the engine thrust angle is usually built into the firewall/ engine mount, but it can also be fine-tuned with washers (to angle the engine more right/ left/ up/ down). Am I just overly concerned? To me it doesn't feel quite right.
It's still a blast to fly though, and the landings are getting pretty decent. Most of the three-pointers are smooth and I've done about half a dozen wheel landings with my CFI in the back and 1 on my own this morning - it wasn't as scary as I anticipated. =)
Thanks in advance for your inputs. I have a lot to learn! This forum has been awesome so far. I couldn't have made it this far without you guys! Pilots are amazing people!
Brian
But I do have a few points of concern that maybe someone can chime in on. I'm finding that it requires a lot of up-trim just to fly level in cruise. (I should have taken a picture of the trim position after landing) And the difference b/t flaps and no flaps is a lot of trim (about 14 half turns!). In the RV-7 in Oregon, it was only 3 half-turns for trim b/t flaps and no flaps.
The plane to me, feels nose-heavy (CG too far forward). The two times I flew with someone in the back, the plane actually flies better (although heavier). Better meaning it does not require a huge amount of up-trim to stay level and the difference b/t flaps and no flaps is only about 4-6 half-turns (instead of 14). And overall it just felt more neutral and power changes don't affect level flight as much. Is this normal for RV-4s or does this indicate a too far forward CG or something else?
Also, I'm finding that it requires a huge amount of right rudder to stay coordinated. On climb-out, I would say it takes almost 70% deflection of right rudder to stay coordinated. And this is with already putting in a lot of rudder trim on the trim tab. And even level flight requires constant right rudder to stay coordinated. With power at idle, then it's neutral or slightly left rudder. Is this normal or could it be the engine thrust angle being off? (not enough right engine thrust). I don't know much about full-scale, but in RC the engine thrust angle is usually built into the firewall/ engine mount, but it can also be fine-tuned with washers (to angle the engine more right/ left/ up/ down). Am I just overly concerned? To me it doesn't feel quite right.
It's still a blast to fly though, and the landings are getting pretty decent. Most of the three-pointers are smooth and I've done about half a dozen wheel landings with my CFI in the back and 1 on my own this morning - it wasn't as scary as I anticipated. =)
Thanks in advance for your inputs. I have a lot to learn! This forum has been awesome so far. I couldn't have made it this far without you guys! Pilots are amazing people!
Brian