Author: "Tim Dale" <tdale4@...> Time: Wed Aug 29, 2001 6:45 pm PDT Link
I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's and
152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is the
advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just don't
want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
comments will greatly appriciated.
Tim
Author: "Peter W Mountain" <peterm@...> Time: Wed Aug 29, 2001 7:04 pm PDT Link
Pro:
Better prop clearance for dirt or grass strips and the "feel" of an
aerobatic aircraft.
Con:
Harder to land with the possibility of ground looping the aircraft
(especially in a gusty crosswind) and to taxi the aircraft with less forward
visibility.
Peter.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim Dale [mailto:tdale4@h...]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 6:45 PM
> To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [RV7and7A] RV7 or 7A
> I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's and
> 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is the
> advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
> landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just don't
> want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
> comments will greatly appreciated.
>
> Tim
> Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
> www.vansaircraft.net
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Author: robert@... Time: Thu Aug 30, 2001 10:24 am PDT Link
Hi Tim,
Here's my lame reasoning:
I asked 7 RV owners and three CFIs which I should get, 7 or 7A.
Every one of them said the 7.
None of them had a really strong reason for their answer (the same
reasons you have already have heard in the other posts).
So I ordered a 7.
Robert Paisley (every time I rent a 172 it makes me go home and spend
lots of hours riveting - come on RV-7!)
--- In RV7and7A@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's
and
> 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is
the
> advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
> landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just
don't
> want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
> comments will greatly appriciated.
>
> Tim
Author: "Kevin Haslebacher" <khaslebacher@...> Time: Thu Aug 30, 2001 10:49 am PDT Link
Tim,
I would also ask your insurance agent as well as fellow pilots (hopefully
he/she is also a pilot). You also have to consider what YOU are most
comfortable with. Some people I've met refer to the nose wheel as a
"training wheel". I for one don't care what they call it, I am more
comfortable with tri-gear so I'm building the 7A. For me it boils down to
personal preference, skill level and experience (= confidence) and ongoing
cost factors. Insurance is certainly part of the operating cost equation.
The performance between the two is so close that it is a minor consideration
from my point of view.
Hey, you're building the thing to fly it so make a decision that you are
comfortable with and then relax and enjoy the rest of the process. In the
end we will all have beautiful RV's to park next to each other at fly-ins! I
can't wait for that day .... I better go pound a few more rivets myself!
Good luck with your decision. Let us all know which way you go.
Kevin (N742KH - reserved)
ps - Robert P. - Thanks for the past tips concerning on-line N number
reservation ... because of you I can proudly claim my own number!
-----Original Message-----
From: robert@p... [mailto:robert@p...]
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:19 AM
To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [RV7and7A] Re: RV7 or 7A
Hi Tim,
Here's my lame reasoning:
I asked 7 RV owners and three CFIs which I should get, 7 or 7A.
Every one of them said the 7.
None of them had a really strong reason for their answer (the same
reasons you have already have heard in the other posts).
So I ordered a 7.
Robert Paisley (every time I rent a 172 it makes me go home and spend
lots of hours riveting - come on RV-7!)
--- In RV7and7A@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's
and
> 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is
the
> advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
> landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just
don't
> want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
> comments will greatly appriciated.
>
> Tim
Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
www.vansaircraft.net
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Author: "Larry Hackney" <lhackney@...> Time: Thu Aug 30, 2001 11:01 am PDT Link
I think you should get a 7A. I've been monitoring the RV7 group for a while now, thinking about building an RV7 just can't make the commitment yet. I had an RV6A that I purchased from the original builder, I put about 140 hours on it and I thought it was great especially on windy crosswind take-offs and landings. Until my enginequit on a 2 and a half mile final into El Monte, Calif. last year, the plane was totalled. (Long story...)
Anyway there wasn't much difference in performance from the other RV's I flew with and there were many. In the flying group, at any given time there were as many as 4 RV6A's,4 RV6's, 2 RV4's, 1 RV8, and a C210 Mother ship. It comes down to personal preference and taildragger time, I can assure you that you won't be dissapointed with the 7A.
Larry "Hack"
----- Original Message -----
From: robert@p... (mailto:robert@p...)
To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com (mailto:rv7and7a@yahoogroups.com)
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:19 AM
Subject: [RV7and7A] Re: RV7 or 7A
Hi Tim,
Here's my lame reasoning:
I asked 7 RV owners and three CFIs which I should get, 7 or 7A.
Every one of them said the 7.
None of them had a really strong reason for their answer (the same
reasons you have already have heard in the other posts).
So I ordered a 7.
Robert Paisley (every time I rent a 172 it makes me go home and spend
lots of hours riveting - come on RV-7!)
--- In RV7and7A@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's
and
> 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is
the
> advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
> landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just
don't
> want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
> comments will greatly appriciated.
>
> Tim
Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
www.vansaircraft.net
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Termsof Service (http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/).
(end of quote)
Author: jandkstevenson@... Time: Thu Aug 30, 2001 2:54 pm PDT Link
NOT KNOWING WHAT TAIL DRAGGER YOU RODE IN I DO NOT KNOW
THE PROBLEM. fOR MANY YEARS ALL YOU HAD WERE TAIL
DRAGGERS. BEFORE YOU MAKE THE DECISION RIDE IN AN RV6-8.
THE TAIL DRAGGER IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. IT IS A MANS
AIRPLANE
> Tim,
> Here's my take on it. I was undecided myself until I went to sun-n-fun this
> year. I was in a tail dragger and as we were taxing for departure (a few
> miles worth) it took so much effort with traffic to keep on s-turning and
> manuevering that I missed out on being able to enjoy all the other aircraft
> around us and it really annoyed me not to have forward visibility. I think
> the 7 definitely has better ramp appeal, however the 7A is easier to operate
> on the ground and performance loss is miniscule once in the air. So I am
> going to build the A.
>
> Ravi Thakkar
> >From: "Kevin Haslebacher" <khaslebacher@c...>
> >Reply-To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com
> >To: <RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com>
> >Subject: RE: [RV7and7A] Re: RV7 or 7A
> >Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 10:43:44 -0700
> >
> >Tim,
> >
> >I would also ask your insurance agent as well as fellow pilots (hopefully
> >he/she is also a pilot). You also have to consider what YOU are most
> >comfortable with. Some people I've met refer to the nose wheel as a
> >"training wheel". I for one don't care what they call it, I am more
> >comfortable with tri-gear so I'm building the 7A. For me it boils down to
> >personal preference, skill level and experience (= confidence) and ongoing
> >cost factors. Insurance is certainly part of the operating cost equation.
> >The performance between the two is so close that it is a minor
> >consideration
> >from my point of view.
> >
> >Hey, you're building the thing to fly it so make a decision that you are
> >comfortable with and then relax and enjoy the rest of the process. In the
> >end we will all have beautiful RV's to park next to each other at fly-ins!
> >I
> >can't wait for that day .... I better go pound a few more rivets myself!
> >Good luck with your decision. Let us all know which way you go.
> >
> >Kevin (N742KH - reserved)
> >
> >ps - Robert P. - Thanks for the past tips concerning on-line N number
> >reservation ... because of you I can proudly claim my own number!
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: robert@p... [mailto:robert@p...]
> >Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:19 AM
> >To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [RV7and7A] Re: RV7 or 7A
> >Hi Tim,
> >Here's my lame reasoning:
> >I asked 7 RV owners and three CFIs which I should get, 7 or 7A.
> >Every one of them said the 7.
> >None of them had a really strong reason for their answer (the same
> >reasons you have already have heard in the other posts).
> >So I ordered a 7.
> >Robert Paisley (every time I rent a 172 it makes me go home and spend
> >lots of hours riveting - come on RV-7!)
> >--- In RV7and7A@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> > > I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's
> >and
> > > 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is
> >the
> > > advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
> > > landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just
> >don't
> > > want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
> > > comments will greatly appriciated.
> > >
> > > Tim
> >Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
> >www.vansaircraft.net
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
> Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
> www.vansaircraft.net
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Author: Milton Watson <milton_watson@...> Time: Thu Aug 30, 2001 6:34 pm PDT Link
Before moving back to Texas a couple of years ago I
lived in Ft. Collins, Colorado where our chapter
president was owner of an RV4. He had nearly a
thousand hours on it, and over 10,000 hours overall as
a pilot. He took me flying in his RV4 and I loved it.
When I questioned him about the taildragger vs. tri
gear (I was considering an RV6 at the time)
controversy, he recommended the trigear. He said that
even with as much time as he had, he still had those
"anxious" moments landing his taildragger RV4 when
there were gusting crosswinds. He said several times
he had come close to "losing it". I personally have
owned three taildraggers and only groundlooped one of
them. I discovered a free-wheeling tail wheel, which
once fixed I never had another problem landing it.
However, I fully understand what he meant about those
moments that you don't have complete control rolling
out and the tailwheel is just settling. For a moment
you have neither rudder control or tail wheel control.
So for myself, I'm considering the RV7A just for
comfort in knowing that I plan to fly it for the next
20 or so years.
Just another old (and not bold) pilot's opinion.
Milt Watson
--- Larry Hackney <lhackney@r...> wrote:
> I think you should get a 7A. I've been monitoring
> the RV7 group for a while now, thinking about
> building an RV7 just can't make the commitment yet.
> I had an RV6A that I purchased from the original
> builder, I put about 140 hours on it and I thought
> it was great especially on windy crosswind take-offs
> and landings. Until my engine quit on a 2 and a
> half mile final into El Monte, Calif. last year, the
> plane was totalled. (Long story...)
>
> Anyway there wasn't much difference in performance
> from the other RV's I flew with and there were many.
> In the flying group, at any given time there were
> as many as 4 RV6A's, 4 RV6's, 2 RV4's, 1 RV8, and a
> C210 Mother ship. It comes down to personal
> preference and taildragger time, I can assure you
> that you won't be dissapointed with the 7A.
>
> Larry "Hack"
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: robert@p...
> To: RV7and7A@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:19 AM
> Subject: [RV7and7A] Re: RV7 or 7A
> Hi Tim,
> Here's my lame reasoning:
> I asked 7 RV owners and three CFIs which I should
> get, 7 or 7A.
> Every one of them said the 7.
> None of them had a really strong reason for their
> answer (the same
> reasons you have already have heard in the other
> posts).
> So I ordered a 7.
> Robert Paisley (every time I rent a 172 it makes
> me go home and spend
> lots of hours riveting - come on RV-7!)
> --- In RV7and7A@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...>
> wrote:
> > I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time
> has been in 172's
> and
> > 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail
> draggers. What is
> the
> > advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger,
> more forgiving on
> > landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold
> on the 7A I just
> don't
> > want to regret my decision later down the road.
> Your thoughts and
> > comments will greatly appriciated.
> >
> > Tim
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ADVERTISEMENT
> Van's Air Force - World Wide Wing
> www.vansaircraft.net
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
> Terms of Service.
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Author: GTCJ68@... Time: Fri Aug 31, 2001 8:56 am PDT Link
First of all, I have 250 hrs in an RV-3 and 240 hrs in an RV-6. I've landed
in some pretty gusty crosswinds and never, I repeat never, have I not been
without rudder control. Rudder authority is proportional to the amount of
airflow. At landing speeds, even close to stall, there is enough to give
sufficient rudder authority in any RV. That's one of the reasons that as
tailwheel airplanes go, RVs are so docile.
Yes, tailwheel airplanes are more challenging in some conditions than
trigears, even RVs. Personally, that is one of the major attractions to
them. I enjoy knowing that I have to stay exactly on top of my approach
profile, airspeed and attitude to execute a good three pointer. I like it
that the rollout is the final event in the process of flight and not just a
waiting game while the groundspeed bleeds off. Bottom line: there is more
satisfaction in the safe and proper operation of a tailwheel aircraft.
As pilots, I thought it was universal that we constantly strive to stay
proficient in our skills. A tailwheeel airplane will help you stay on top
and keep you from slipping into complacency, at least in your landings.
That's my two cents.
Mitchell Lock
Author: kenrv6@... Time: Fri Aug 31, 2001 9:45 am PDT Link
One more for the mix....I've got just over 1000 hours in RVs, all
models except the RV-3, and own an RV-6 which I've flown for about
450 hours (lots of people have flown in, and I don't know how many of
the 740 hours on the tach are mine...). I'm pretty comfortable in
the taildraggers after literally thousands of landings, and I've
never had any worries about the directional control or "tailwheel"
qualities of the airplane. Directional control, even on windy
days, is just not an issue.
That said, I'll walk right by the tailwheel RV to fly a tri-gear.
Why? Because my experience has taught me that the tri-gears are, by a
small margin, better all around airplanes, for any pilot.
I've read Mitch Lock's reasoning and don't really disagree with any of
it...except that I think that precise flying is a matter of getting
the best a specific airplane has to offer. You can challenge yourself
to fly to the same degree of precision in a Cub or a 747, but the
ultimate capability is determined by the airplane's limits.
If I can only have one airplane, I'm going to choose the one
with the greatest capability. I've found that flying both tailwheel
and trigear to the best of my ability, I can do more things with
greater comfort and more safety margin in the trigear than I can in
the tailwheel.
Most of the people I talk to that choose the tailwheel do so for
aesthetic reasons. That's ok, but looks don't make the airplane
handle better, and besides, I can't see the wheels when I'm in the
cockpit. Can't see the taxiway all that well, either, in the
tailwheel, but it's beautifully laid out in front of me when I'm in
the nosewheeler.
Wh-- In RV7and7A@y..., robert@p... wrote:
> Hi Tim,
> Here's my lame reasoning:
> I asked 7 RV owners and three CFIs which I should get, 7 or 7A.
> Every one of them said the 7.
> None of them had a really strong reason for their answer (the same
> reasons you have already have heard in the other posts).
> So I ordered a 7.
> Robert Paisley (every time I rent a 172 it makes me go home and
spend
> lots of hours riveting - come on RV-7!)
> --- In RV7and7A@y..., "Tim Dale" <tdale4@h...> wrote:
> > I have never flown a tail dragger, all my time has been in 172's
> and
> > 152's. However I notice a lot of RV's are tail draggers. What is
> the
> > advantage of a 7 over a 7A? Are they stronger, more forgiving on
> > landing, easier to build? I'm pretty much sold on the 7A I just
> don't
> > want to regret my decision later down the road. Your thoughts and
> > comments will greatly appriciated.
> >
> > Tim