Reverse av/RCU poll

[David Flynt]

I posted the following response on the RCU poll:

When I voted against replacing the maneuver on this poll, I was split
myself.  On the one hand, the maneuver is challenging and fun, but on the
other hand I can sense that I may be over-stressing my plane.  I also just
do not know whether people are not flying it correctly, or whether some
planes are not built well, or whether this is really such a demanding
maneuver that everybody's airplane is at risk.  When I placed my vote, one
thought broke the tie in my mind -- 1) If it is safe for FAI, then it is
safe for Masters.

So let's talk about that.  Is it really safe for FAI?  (The assumption here
is that pattern planes for FAI and Masters are not built any differently).
>From reading the NSRCA mail list, I know of that Eric Henderson damaged two
of his planes flying this maneuver.  I have spoken to another FAI pilot, and
he is nervous about the maneuver if not flown very slowly, which is
difficult if your plane does not slow down well.  That could be the case if
you have a heavy plane with a two stroke for example.  But I am beginning to
feel that this maneuver is potentially and perhaps absolutely damaging to
all plug-in wing designs.  I have flown it about 50 times with my Partner,
and I cannot detect any damage.  But that does not mean that I can practice
the maneuver another 1000 times and not incur damage.

After reading about what others have to say, and direct discussion, I
suspect that this maneuver is damaging to most if not all plug-in wing
models.  I offer this as speculation, but there is already enough evidence
to support the theory, and we are just getting started.  I am claiming that
the reverse avalanche is a more damaging maneuver than the snap on a 45
down, and that it is unacceptably rough on our airplanes.  If anybody has
data for or against my claim, please speak up.  This is pretty important
stuff.  I am just as concerned about my competitor’s airplanes as I am my
own.

Oh one last thing, I change my vote on this poll, which means that it is
exactly tied right now -- 24 to 24.  The next question is, if more people
start changing their mind like I have, is there any way possible to replace
this maneuver?  Maybe we will just have to cope with it like the FAI guys
must.

Sincerely,

David Flynt

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