The Long and Short of it...
Just curious if a Rocket will land as short as a RV8 ?
RH,
Short answer, YES.
For Five years I operated my HR2 out of a 2200' very soft, semi-rough turf strip with 50' obstacles at each end near my home. One of my neighbors kindly allowed me to fly his RV8 on numerous occasions which allowed me to compare the two close-up.
My HR2 sported 380X150X5 tires, Flyboy accessories tail wheel and a
basic AOA system, IO-540C4B5 with Hartzell "Paddle", Electronic Ignition and GAMI injectors, RV4 wings and tail. My Neighbors RV8 was a stock QB, albeit very light considering the
British Bulldog Trainer FWF AEIO-360A1B6 with MT 3 Blade Aerobatic CS prop.
Key to this discussion was the AOA system. It allowed me to max perform the aircraft approach and landing just above stall speed safely, every time. AOA approaches are exemplified by power controlling sink rate and pitch controlling aim-point/airspeed.
With practice in
the HR2 I could routinely land and stop in 700 feet on turf with light braking. "Green Dot" approach speeds varied from 58-64 KIAS, a speed arguably not trod by many HR2 owners.
In comparison,
the RV8 has better forward visibility on approach but lacking the AOA system I referenced 65 KIAS. This speed established after configured slow flight practice with full flaps. The RV8 sitting on it's gear has a lower AOA than the HR2 and a max performance approach will land tail first, very similar to my short gear RV4. Another thing I noticed was a very slight burble/vibration through the stick below 70 KIAS on final approach.
Overall, both are very nice Sport Aircraft, but I prefer the HR2 for numerous reasons. However, to avoid thread robbery and further incessant babbling, I will refrain...
Long answer to a short question on short landings...
V/R
Smokey