Revised Build Plan: Acing the "A"

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:49 pm

OK, How hard is it gonna be to change to a taildragger at this stage (Emp complete, still working on the wings).

Chad, I believe you did this, yes?

Thoughts anyone?

I have an opportunity to get some tail wheel time (currently have none) so I'm thinking seriously about making the switch. Not totally weathervaning here........OK, maybe I am

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:56 pm

There is NOTHING at your stage that can't be changed as far as 7/7A's go. You don't need to decide until you order your fuselage, and even then, you have some time before some things get built to REALLY committ. I'm past that stage now. Although, it can be done...Van's did it! All it takes is time and money!

The installation of the gear weldments, and the tailwheel spring/attach are the two key areas for the 7.

Get the tailwheel time, and see what you think! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised...I know I was!

BTW...I only have 13 hours of TW time, and 7 of it is in a 7 as of today...

Post by **Spike** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:04 pm

It seems to me (at least in the 9) that there were some holes to drill or not drill in the bottom of the rear spar of the VS depending on being an A variant or not. I got the impression that once drilled, it was hard to go back.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:17 pm

Nah, I just talked to Will on the phone, and brought that up.

Here's the detail of the area in question...

I don't think it makes a difference where the holes where drilled, either can be used, and fill the unused holes with a rivet. The holes for the 7 are for the tailwheel spring attach, and the 7A holes are just a normal rivet hole location. Won't matter if there are rivets there if a switch to a 7 is made...or 9A to 9.

Post by **Spike** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:49 pm

Does the tail wheel attach come pre-drilled? If so, and you have drilled for an A, by that drawing Id be worried about edge distances, etc. But hey, if the factory says its ok ...

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:21 pm

Yeah, after we talked Chad, I checked it out: Its no big deal at all

Thanks

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:12 pm

And TW RV's are super easy to control on the ground. Easiest landing taildragger there is IMO. Well, at least the RV-4 and RV-6 were. I don't expect the RV-7 to be much different.