Don
Well Known Member
I am flying an RV-9A with a O-320 (160 hp), with a fixed pitch prop. I've got better than 120 hours in it. Van's states the take-off and landing distance with this plane solo is 300'. At gross he says they're 475 and 450. It's also generally agreed that Van's numbers are very close to reality as opposed to some companies that are rather optimistic. I also note that other RV's have similar or shorter landing distances.
When it comes to the take-off, I believe I'm coming pretty close to Van's numbers by just using full flaps, getting the nose wheel barely off the runway until I rotate as I pass 50 knots. I've never actually measured it but I'm always startled at how fast it happens and I'm positive it's well under 1,000'.
Landings are a different story. I can fairly consistently land in 1,000' by reducing my speed over the fence to 57-58 knots and keeping a bit of power on until the flare. I landed once at 55 knots with the engine idling in calm conditions and when I rolled out parallel to the runway and started the flare - there wasn't enough energy left for ANY float and the mains touched down. I don't know what that landing distance was but it was more than 500'.
I'm curious how to land this plane in 500'?or 600 or 700'. Is the trick to break really hard? While I'm not opposed to braking, I'm not keen on standing on the breaks. I figure there's something else I'm missing. I also find it interesting that when folks here ask about using short fields, say 1,000' on a regular basis, a lot of people advise against it because the margin for error is low.
The shortest airport I've landed at so far was 1,534' (x 24') and it wasn't an issue but I'm guessing I used 1,100' of it with modest braking. The fact that it was up hill in spots helped limit the landing distance.
In closing, I'm sure folks will want to know stuff I failed to mention and I'll try and answer questions. My indicated stall speed at gross, with flaps down is 44 knots (Van's says 50 mph, so I think I'm real close). My intent for doing this isn't to make every landing this short but I want to be able to fly the 9 to its limits when I want or need to do so. I would also like to generally shorten my landings to under 1,000' if I can do so with no more than gentle braking.
My standard approach speed for a landing where distance is not limited is 65-67 knots over the fence. With moderate braking I'll get the plane stopped in 1,500 to 1,800'. If I'm landing at an airport that's between 2,000 and 2,400' I'll reduce the approach speed to 60 knots, which is limiting me in gusty conditions. These figures are all for paved runways.
So my questions are: Can you land your RV in under 500'? If so, what's your technique?
When it comes to the take-off, I believe I'm coming pretty close to Van's numbers by just using full flaps, getting the nose wheel barely off the runway until I rotate as I pass 50 knots. I've never actually measured it but I'm always startled at how fast it happens and I'm positive it's well under 1,000'.
Landings are a different story. I can fairly consistently land in 1,000' by reducing my speed over the fence to 57-58 knots and keeping a bit of power on until the flare. I landed once at 55 knots with the engine idling in calm conditions and when I rolled out parallel to the runway and started the flare - there wasn't enough energy left for ANY float and the mains touched down. I don't know what that landing distance was but it was more than 500'.
I'm curious how to land this plane in 500'?or 600 or 700'. Is the trick to break really hard? While I'm not opposed to braking, I'm not keen on standing on the breaks. I figure there's something else I'm missing. I also find it interesting that when folks here ask about using short fields, say 1,000' on a regular basis, a lot of people advise against it because the margin for error is low.
The shortest airport I've landed at so far was 1,534' (x 24') and it wasn't an issue but I'm guessing I used 1,100' of it with modest braking. The fact that it was up hill in spots helped limit the landing distance.
In closing, I'm sure folks will want to know stuff I failed to mention and I'll try and answer questions. My indicated stall speed at gross, with flaps down is 44 knots (Van's says 50 mph, so I think I'm real close). My intent for doing this isn't to make every landing this short but I want to be able to fly the 9 to its limits when I want or need to do so. I would also like to generally shorten my landings to under 1,000' if I can do so with no more than gentle braking.
My standard approach speed for a landing where distance is not limited is 65-67 knots over the fence. With moderate braking I'll get the plane stopped in 1,500 to 1,800'. If I'm landing at an airport that's between 2,000 and 2,400' I'll reduce the approach speed to 60 knots, which is limiting me in gusty conditions. These figures are all for paved runways.
So my questions are: Can you land your RV in under 500'? If so, what's your technique?