Nose gear prob... I mean issue
Latest RVator has an article about some recent incidents where a RV-A flipped on it's back. (One on Take off!)
There seems to be an issue with wheel pants being too tight. Just the act of the pant catching the tire causes a deflection of the nose strut, which starts a chain reaction. End result the nose wheel folds. One accident was on take off and another occurred last week was landing on turf. The TG is thought to be better on dirt if for no other reason than taxi with prop tips further from rocks. Also the nose gear on the RV is small and likely to plow or catch. The wheel/tire is in trail. So if an obstacle is tall enough the strut will hit it before the tire.
Another accident down under w/ a RV-7A in Aussie Land in the last month has some worried.
I think the design of the nose gear on the Model "A" works fine but has its limitations as all things do. Yes if you takeoff and get the nose up early and land holding the nose off as long as possible, you say what is the problem? It is easy to think it is some pilot error. It could be, but clearly the nose strut is not that robust. First it is angled forward from the mount with some S curves bent into it, kind-a-like pushing a rope. Then you got this little Fork-thingy wiggling and wagging on the end of the strut with an offset which puts a little more bending and side load in. Add surface irregularity, poor tire inflation, wheel fairing catching and............................
I think the only solution is to take the nose wheel off and put a little wheel on the back.
(sorry I could not resist, someone had to say it).
Insurance: Someone states TG insurance problem? I now have 600 hours tail dragger, but had no problem with insurance on my RV-4. I think I had about 100 TG and 7000 total at the time when I applied. I sold it, but I recalled I paid about $1000/yr thru EAA acro group.
Recently on the RV-7 yahoo list someone state they could not get insurance for their "A" Model, and it was suggested by this writer that it was due to the rash of A model flips?
I would also say when it comes to crappy landings, from a gear strength viewpoint; the "A" model may be a little more vulnerable? Lets face it, plow the nose gear it will not be as forgiving as a C-172. Bounce hard the nose gear will slap down, deflect, small swerve, add a runway bump, deflect more, prop hits and flip-pit-de-do-da. Yes a TG can bend gears and flip in its own unique and wonderful way, given an abortion of a landing. It is just that the Tri-gear seems a little weaker?
The TG is thought to more of a tiger to tame. I learned in a Piper cub (no I am not that old 40) and the RV is no harder to fly than a Cub. The landing speed in a RV is low and things happen relatively slowly. I am sorry to dispel the super-do-per pilot skill myth guy's. Of course in a cross wind you MUST land with no drift, use proper and timely control inputs throughout the landing and fly it all the way (to the tie down). Try to use the Tri-gear landing technique "Crab-N-Plop (it-down)" method in a TG will give poor results. The RV-A is more forgiving in this respect, however that is poor technique and given the flex of the nose gear, you may get a nasty surprise putting side load into the "pencil" nose gear leg.
Bottom line is if you make good consistent landings in all conditions in a RV-A, you would have no problem learning to making good landings with a TG. I suggest if you are on the fence, go out and buy some TG time in Citabria or something. Than go rent or fly a C-152, C-172 or better yet Grumman Yank-me. Tell me which one is more fun to fly (I mean land and taxi). Nothing wrong with a RV-A, they don't weigh much more (10-20lbs), they don't fly slower (much 2 mph), and have better taxi visibility. I will not say easier taxi. I would rather have a direct connection to the tail wheel thru rudder than a nose gear that req jabbing brakes. IF you seat is high enough you can see over the nose well enough in most cases so S-turns are not req.
If all you have flown is a nose gear, than the tail-wheel will seem "different", but after 1-5 hours you will be comfortable. If not, "Know-thy-self" and go with the nose wheel. You can't go wrong either way, but if there is a comfort issue than don't worry what us TG drivers think. Even though TG'ers are better (looking).
I read a pilot with lots of experienced in RV's, built several RV's, went to an "A" model. Gasp? He said it is just easier. OK can't argue with that. Have fun, fly safe, I am sticking with a TG because it is more fun for me to fly (I mean takeoff, land and taxi). I get to fly a "Tri-gear" at work anyway.
Cheers G RV-4, RV-7 project