Kline Kill Patch : Competition Aerobatics in an RV-8

Poughkeepsie based Scott Jordan wrote this about his experience flying competition style aerobatics with us in his Vans RV-8 airplane. Thank you, Scott!

Vans RV-8 is stressed for +6 / -3 G’s and flies acceptable “gentleman’s aerobatics”. However, being what I refer to as a “high speed, low G” aircraft, it is not really suitable for competition aerobatics. A typical monoplane designed for competition may fly the maneuvers at a higher speed but also at a much higher G loading. RV aerobatics rarely involve more than 4 G’s. This can make staying in the competition box difficult, if not impossible. I enjoy flying aerobatics but have always wondered how good my maneuvers really were. Competition is the best way to find this out.

Doug Lovell purchased a Pitts S-1 and moved into a hangar near mine a few years ago. He became very active in the local IAC chapter and quickly moved up in the competition ranks. Every time we crossed paths, he would invite me to the next chapter event. I always intended to go but never seemed to get around to it, mainly because I knew I could never compete in the RV. Finally, Doug cornered me. The chapter was having a “fun” day. No competition but judges would be available for critiquing. I finally committed to flying aerobatics if front of others.

The IAC has a proficiency award program that awards a member for attaining competency in various maneuvers at the five levels of competition. The awards are a “smooth” patch if the maneuvers are demonstrated at a practice session, a “star” is added if they are performed during a competition. I set a goal to earn a Primary level patch. Spin, loop, slow roll and a competition turn are the required maneuvers. Sounds simple, right? I had a couple issues. First, my slow rolls have been hit or miss. Are my loops round? The practice day is designed to answer these questions and provide guidance. Second, a competition spin requires establishing a vertical down line after the spin is stopped. The RV is very slick and builds speed rapidly. I was afraid I would not be able to accomplish the one turn spin, establish the down line and recover in the allotted airspace and without building too much speed. As I said, the RV is not a competition aerobat!

Doug and I flew up to the practice field, Kline Kill, in a loose formation, his daughter earning her Young Eagles flight in the backseat of my RV. After consulting a sectional, I found an area outside of the designated aerobatic box where I could practice in solitude (and high altitude) before flying for the judges. Although I have spun my RV many times, I have never flown a competition spin and I approached the maneuver with doubts that I would be able to complete it as required. Eventually, I was able to consistently fly the one turn spin, establish the down line and recover using only 1000’. I even found myself adding power during the pullout to attain the speed I would need for the loop. My rolls were still up for grabs but I decided that it was time for some friendly advice from the ground.

Cleared into the box. A clean break into the spin, and a recovery that I hope is sufficiently close to heading to fool the judges. I push the nose down but without a sight gauge on the aircraft, judging vertical is difficult. Time to pull out, the judges will let me know if I was vertical. I pull into the loop. Float over the top. How much is enough to make the loop round? Only the judges know for sure! Feels about right, pull through. Altitude and airspeed are at the bottom are the same I started with so I should be close. With the high camber wing in the RV, a slow roll is easier at high speed so I roll before the speed bleeds off. I managed to hold altitude fairly well but wonder if it looked that way from the ground. How much altitude variation can they see? And, why am I headed away from the airport? I turned at least 30 degrees during the last part of the roll. I know I won’t get credit for the roll but hopefully, the judges can tell me where I went wrong and how to correct it.

Doug was judging and he told me that my spin was good, that the down line was, in fact, much longer than it needs to be. He was also happy with the loop. After some discussion, we decided that I was letting up on the “push”, maybe even pulling a bit on the last part of the roll and this pulled the nose off heading as I passed through right knife edge.

After lunch, I again went out to my secluded practice area. After more rolls than I could count, I felt ready for the judge’s eye. I flew the four maneuver routine again and felt much better about my roll. Doug and the other judges were pleased and called me on the radio, I had earned the patch! Since no one was waiting for the airspace, I continued with a celebratory sequence of loops, cuban and reverse cuban 8’s and my favorite, cloverleafs.

After the end of the competition season, IAC Chapter 52 holds a “Blue Bowl” competition. The competition consists of one flight, an unknown. The rules are simple. Be safe. Embellishments on the routine are encouraged as long as the judges can tell it is an embellishment and not an error. The judges are picked from everyone that happens to be on the field at the time. Two levels of competition were planned but due to weather, all competitors were grouped into one class. The simple routine looked doable for my RV with the exception of a Hammerhead, a maneuver that I had not been practicing. Low altitude is not the place to try a new maneuver and since the Hammerhead was drawn with a ¼ roll, I decided this was the perfect place to embellish with a Cloverleaf. I flew the routine, added in a few more maneuvers to impress the judges and landed pleased with a fun flight. There were fourteen competitors and I came home with a coveted Blue Bowl trophy! I think it was the six year old judge that made the difference for me!

So, now the competition bug has hit me. I plan to compete in the Primary category next year and, if I practice hard, I just may be able to compete in the more challenging Sportsman competition although I still question the ability to stay within the box. There are a couple maneuvers that will be very challenging in the RV such as a split S that starts with a two point roll. A two point roll at Split S entry speeds will be difficult. Practice will tell.

Yes, RV’s can compete in at least the Primary category. IAC Chapter 52 has thought about adding an RV Category to their competitions. If I can find others that are interested, I will work with the chapter to develop a safe, competitive sequence and modified rules such as relaxing the box. Have fun, fly safe.