I generally don't cross post but thought this thread by the RV guys was interesting. I lurk on that forum because there is some good builder/general info there. While hauling ass is fun, I just can't fathom being scared to land on a GRASS strip. It sure is amazing the wide range of things airplanes are capable of. Compared to any other vehicle the range is huge.

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... hp?t=55641

I didn't see a note from you directing him to the experts. Or even here.

I briefly owned RV-3A s/n 1 in 1988-1990. That airplane was an incredible machine. With a slightly smaller engine than standard (135HP) it would cruise 170 mph, climb at 1800 FPM, and was able to operate out of 800 feet with room to spare if needed. The RV series strikes me as an ideal balance between speed and good short field ability.

While it won't do what a purpose built STOL airplane will do on the slow side, it will give a very respectable performance on shorter strips. Most importantly it flies well and has great handling at the lower end of the speed range. I can personally vouch for the idea that it flies the same with the prop stopped as it does with the prop turning, which is a rarity in airplanes.

Anywhere that a wide speed range and a balance between fast and slow is needed, the RV's are king IMHO.

How comes these guys are all afraid to land on grass unless they've personally walked it? Pilot skill? Too pretty of a paint job? Sounds like the -A guys are more worried. I've always thought the RV's were a sweet plane that's why I hang out on that forum sometimes. I just thought it was pretty funny when they are trying to figure out if a nice mowed grass strip is safe when were trying to figure out if we can get the nose high enough to land on a hillside or not.

A Montana buddy loves his RV-9: 5 GPH at 150 mph, hard to beat that for economy cruising, he isn't afraid of grass.

I was at Big Creek, ID, one time and a guy named Tracy Knight showed up in an RV-3. I can understand why some would be nervous about landing on grass strips. I've eaten donuts that were bigger than the wheels on that thing!

Mmmmmm...... donuts....

RV's have 5.00 size tires and often very tight wheel pants. Also they don't have a lot of prop clearance compared to traditional bushplanes. The height of the grass on rough strips can be an issue for the tight wheel pants. If you have an RV and want to fly backcountry then you should probably have a second set of wheel pants trimmed back for mud and grass?

All that being said, the RV will usually slow down real well and can land in 5-600 feet without too much effort.

EZFlap wrote:If you have an RV and want to fly backcountry then you should probably have a second set of wheel pants trimmed back for mud and grass?

Or just go without them, I've seen that a bunch.

As far as walking a strip before landing.....it's not the grass, it's what might be hiding in the grass..GOTCHA!
HC

I have seen several RV's go into Marble, Colorado with those tiny little tires. No problem. The gear legs walk back and forth about 12 inches, seems like a good design. I haven't heard of them breaking. Talk to them after a couple thousand cycles.
Of all the airplanes I have flown, I have not flown an RV. I hear it is one of the most expensive rides you will take....

I co-own an RV-4 (on 5.0's) and own outright a 170 on 7.0's. I guess I'm not as gutsy as you guys.

Last summer on a cross-country in the 170 I landed for the night in Arthur, NE. Looked good from the air, but a little shaggy. Hadn't been mowed for a month and a half, and was full of gopher holes. Wasn't sure I'd be able to get the 170 out of there. Would have been bad news for the RV-4.

Have a cabin on a strip a bit north of here. 2800 turf, but the first 300 feet (when landing / departing to the north) is basically un-useable because it's so rough. I'll take off with the 170 using that 300feet sometimes -- handles it ok. Wouldn't want to land on it. My RV partner had the airplane up to the cabin one day, tried departing using the rough stuff -- it was real hard on the gear -- makes me wince thinking about it.

I'll land the RV on strips I can get reports on (all the WA state strips, all the San Juan strips, Stuart West, Ben Ryan's field, etc.), but I'm chicken enough now to want some info before I put my itty-bitty wheels where they may not belong.

--Tony

PS -- the RV is a real sweet-heart. I agree with what everyone's been saying here.

When I see a RV-9 , my first immediate thought is to set one up with vortex generators for the usual low speed handling/high AOA improvements, and 26" Airstreaks for improved rough field utility, they already have decent short field specs. It may result in a fairly fast cruising, fairly competent
allmosta bushplane. I mean my friend in Montana with the 5 GPH 150 MPH cruise shows it's a great flyer no matter what. I'd guesstimate it may cruise at 130 or so, maybe more, and still get 5 GPH. I've never seen vg's on a RV, maybe it has an airfoil that doesn't respond as well? Or maybe with that crowd it's all about go fast!

Not sure what kind of plane. Picture taken at Smiley Creek, Idaho last summer (2009)


Picture taken from http://www.baconstripranch.com (hope they don't mind)

58Skylane wrote:Not sure what kind of plane. Picture taken at Smiley Creek, Idaho last summer (2009)

That's a Harmon Rocket (souped up RV-4). That one was built by Nathan Hawkins, now owned by Tracy Knight.

kevbert wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Not sure what kind of plane. Picture taken at Smiley Creek, Idaho last summer (2009)

That's a Harmon Rocket (souped up RV-4). That one was built by Nathan Hawkins, now owned by Tracy Knight.

Also, my friend Chile had flown his RV-4 into JC and other strips with no problems. No big deal to regular Back Country Pilots I guess. But, better to be safe than sorry, though.