IFR in a 9 ...

[Spike]

Has anyone here actually flowm any real IMC in a 9 ? Im curious as to what your impression is for its stability during things like precision approaches.

-- John

[captain_john]

Well, ummm... a fellow -7 builder and I were contemplating the same thing earlier today, but in a -7.

We concluded that initially nothing real hard would be done. Just a punch through to get on top, kinda stuff.

MY personal take is, being that I am a VFR only pilot... to get my Instrument ticket in the RV. Once that is done, depending on instrumentation I will venture into the milk bottle. I WILL have a decent autopilot and nothing to minimums until I deem it (and me) worthy of the task. I understand some people have flown IMC in some very demanding conditions in these things. They say an AP is standard equipment if you want to do much IMC and/or x-country. I hope to do both.

CJ

[ScottD]

Nope, still building mine but the longer wing and more stable design philosophy is why I choose a 9.

Now I do not really know the difference between "hard" and "light" IFR other than when my plane is finished and I have finished my instrument rating I will certainly go slowly into it. That would be the case in a 172 too though. I do not understand why it would be any less capable than any other piston single with no de-ice equipment?

Scott DellAngelo
#90598 Fuselage

[Spike]

I dont think its a question of capability. Ive always thought of it as a question of responsiveness. The example I give is taking your eyes off of the scan to check a chart. How fast would it fall off or get out of control ? What happens if you accidentally bump the stick or something. Those were my primary questions.


-- John

[ScottD]

The only two RV's I have flown are the factory 9A and a 6. The 9A seemed very stable to me and not overly quick. The 6 was definitely quicker. As is the case in any plane (for me) when I take my head down it seems to do a better job than I do so I tend to kind of let go of things. Of course an autopilot goes a long ways there.

Also when I flew the factory 9A I intentially completely let go of everything in some pretty light chop and was impressed with how well it stayed there. Much better than the rental fleet Cessna's that I was used to at the time which started turning almost immediately when hands off.

Scott DellAngelo
#90598 Fuselage

[sambensam48801]

I am a high time piolt,so I don't find flying IFR in the RV-9 any more dificult that other aircraft.
If you do very much IFR you will eventionaly get into some unforcast ice. If this should happen, Look back at your elevator. Trim for a speed that will keep the elevator counterweight lined up with the horizontal stabilizer. There is very little clearance and ice will build on the front of the counter weight, This could cause the elevetor to lock up. Because of this I will not fly my 9 IFR if their is any chance of Ice.