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Thread: What are you flying?

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    35

    What are you flying?

    I would be keen to see what everyone is flying these days - what, why and for recreational or competitive flying or both?
    Myself and two mates are rebuilding a Pitts S1 from the ground up, lots and lots of work going into this rebuild. Won't post any pics just yet.

    I do most of my aerobatic antics in these two machines so I won't lie, would love to see everyone else's ragwing machines in particular.
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  2. #2

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Australia
    Posts
    5
    This is what I normally fly these days:
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  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Vernon, Britsh Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    29

    Goggles My rv4

    I am new at full scale aerobatics - have done tons in RC plane - of course not quite the same experience. After owning a fair number of mundane - certified Non - aerobatic aircrafts - last spring I finally got myself my first RV4. The RV4 is a half decent aerobatic plateform for fun flying and perhaps some competion aerobatics but limited to the sportsman - and or perhaps the intermediate catagory. I did my first aerobatics in a Citabria from a flying school near by - and totally loved it - from that first loop I was hooked! ya hoo. this is what I've always dreamed of. It's funny hearing myself say that - since I've read some similar stories in the Sport aerobatic's mag - from other aerobatic pilots and how they too got their starts. I know I was destined to do this - when riding all the coasters - waiting for that marverlous front seat position - was starting to get boring - and wanting more thrills - and G's. haha So this is my megar start into the sport of aerobatics - hope to try and get to compete with my own plane perhaps here in BC and or Alberta with the IAC chapters - we don't have much going on re: acro around here unfortunatly. I need to do some work to my plane over the winter to install an Ellison Throttle (inverted carb) - I already have the flop tube which dosn't do much good with a down draft carb! As well either a Raven or Christen inverted oil system - I was thinking of the Raven so it can work in conjunction with my exisitng wet sump - and hopefully mange to fit under my cowl as there is not much room there. Without these things my aerobatics is limited to pos. G manuvers only - so I'm currently working on trying to perfect my sportsman class aerobatics and so far I can do most of those - I'm a bit nervous about the humpty bump only becasue if I back off on the stick over the top - it's going to go into the neg's very quickly and my motor starts to spit and sputter etc... well I'm sure we've all been there. Hammerheads also a bit of a challenge to remain positive. I think once i get the Ellison throttle installed and the Raven inverted oil that will make doing most of these aerobatic's farily easy - without the worry of making a mess from the vent line and damage to the motor and or - stalling the engine!

    Here's a photo of My RV4. Currently configured with a simple - 0320 lycoming E2D - with 150HP - and a sensich all metal prop. climbs at 2000feet per min - at 110MPH. 1800 at 120MPH. cruises at 170 - 180MPH. 2350 - 2500RPM. 8gal per hour fuel burn. 975lb Empty wieght. My daughter's Fav. Show is seasame Street so I decided that a giant ELMO would make an excellent Co - pilot. haha Dosn't say much - and is very light! keeps me in the aerobatic Catagory. haha under 1375lb gross.

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    Last edited by frank_rv4; 09-23-2011 at 12:11 PM. Reason: adding in one more photo.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Vernon, Britsh Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    29
    I have been reading this book that my old friend dropped on me - at our local flying club - at first I thought it would be out of date etc... and totally boring - wow was I wrong. As this book could and likely is still hailed as the bible of modern day aerobatics - although it was written back in 1975 by a Neil Williams. The title is simply Aerobatics. I will say that he's one excellent resource - and I have learned lots by reading his book - I have also tried some of the techiques he talks about to improve our aerobatic figures - and the success rate of our aerobatics. It's worked out very well for the most part - biggest difference was most of the plane's he's flown back in the day - the stampe - and the Zlin - etc... are european aircraft and the prop's spin the other way - there fore - when he say's you need a bit of XX rudder to compesate for P factor etc... and you go and try that out with our planes - you will learn quickly that's not right! haha - Tried that in a hammerhead and wow ended up on my back - falling out of the sky! wow did something wrong there. I figured out what it was - too. Corrected my mistake and the procedure worked just as he said it would now my hammerhead's are 100% positive G - no more falling out of the sky - nicely controlled - stall turn's as he calls them. Great book - anyone doing aerobatics should read it. Lot's of great tips - if you are a weekend ACRO - enthusist and or heavlily into competition aerobatics. Just thought I would share this with my aerobaticlly inclined friends.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    35
    Couldn't agree more. It was the first book I ever bought on aerobatics, and definately the best. As you said, the fact that Neil spent most of his time flying less powerful aircraft like the Stampe, Jungmeister and Zlin 526, means most of us can relate to his techniques.
    I also still enjoy referring to Duane Cole's books 'Conquest of Lines and Symmetry' and 'Roll Around a Point'.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Vernon, Britsh Columbia, Canada
    Posts
    29
    I will jot that one down as well - something I've wanted to do - or more like destined to do all my life - but now finally having the resources to be able to do - no doubt many can also relate to that situation! I'm in a great flying club - however just as Neil aludes to in his book - people look at you very strange - you do what?? are you crazy? haha Now going out and doing some loops and rolls and spins - etc... cuban 8's - etc.. are part of my normal daily fun fly without which I would feel that it was like a drive in the car to walmart and back. I'm still at the beginning stages looking at some of the amazing pilots out there doing some much much more advanced stuff thinking perhaps some day - maybe - I have the interest and the stomach for it for sure - but I will need a better plane and more training of course. I think I will go to one of those cozy spots in the states where you can do some serious aerobatics with an instructor - and enjoy the amazing - warm weather etc... arizona or florida has to get some one on one training in a pitts or a extra. Soon I will have more time to dedicate to my new found hobby and love - when I can finally retire from government - and do much more flying and aerobatics. Thanks for your tips. appreciated. Frank.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    KMMV
    Posts
    5
    oh, thank you frank. i will try to find this book!

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    3
    The books Fly for fun, by Bill Thomas, and Better Aerobatics, by Alan Cassidy have been great. Nonetheless, the benefits of a good number of sessions with a recognized school are something all aerobatic pilots should seek.
    Your Citabria is beautiful.
    TN

  9. #9
    flyhound's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Posts
    7
    You're a lucky man to have access to these 2 great birds. Too bad you aren't closer to Virginia, USA - I'd be bugging you for a partnership in one of them!

  10. #10
    1979 Steen Skybolt

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    Doug
    1947 Stinson 108-2
    Steen Skybolt - IO-360-A1A

    Flying is the answer...What was the question?

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