Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Do any of you fly in the aerobatic competitions with your Thorp?

Not enough rudder. No inverted capability (flaps).

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

No longer "G" tolerant ! I was afflicted when introduced to an AUTOPILOT ! BOOM !

RB

Ha! That was a good one Rich. I was just curious about the aerobatic stuff. I see all these RVs always doing pretty well within their classification so I thought about the Thorp and why I never see a Thorp in there.

You could do it, but I'd be pretty worried about any tail slide type stuff for the reason Bob mentioned. Spring loaded flaps were not meant for air loads like that. I do aerobatics. But not competitively. That has never interested me anyway.
Cubes

RV's use the flap hinge for the ailerons and the aileron hinge for the flap with a positive linear motor to drive them, just bassackwards of the Thorp

A guy could maybe rig a Thorp to play in the 'beginner" class. they do not typically have tail slide and inverted/negative g maneuvers. As fast as a thorp is, a beginner would have a hard time keeping her in the box. You would have to make room for a chute and make an emergency canopy release for starts. you could compete but probably not be "competitive". In the lower classes Pitt's rein because they can do most any maneuver, slow enough to keep in the box and are relatively cheap.

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Probably easier to become an MX missile pilot !

RB

I'm working up to IAC competition in my RV-8. I couldn't even get in my T-18 with a parachute on.
I got some instruction from Will Allen, the 'Rock & Roll airshow guy" in a Super Decathlon.
My son competes in a Pitts in Washington & Oregon, I help out, corner judging etc.
I don't recall seeing a side by side seater in competition, although it must happen somewhere.
Here is a link to the IAC site:
https://www.iac.org/
Maneuvers:
https://www.iac.org/legacy/aerobatic-figures
The Primary flight routine, is at the top:
https://www.iac.org/system/files/IAC%20 ... 202016.pdf
The IAC is encouraging RV's to enter.
A T-18 could possibly do a primary routine, as there are no spins.
I'm nobody to comment on T-18 spins, but the IAC aerobatic box is fairly close to the ground, so spins and spin recovery need to be practiced and well established prior to competing.
I have not spun my T-18.

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

On a somewhat related noted, does anyone have their canopy set up for emergency release? How would you even do that considering the aerodynamic forces act to keep the canopy closed in flight?

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Matthew Long, Editor
cluttonfred.info
A site for builders, owners and fans of Eric Clutton's FRED

« Voici ce que j'ai fait...vous pouvez en faire autant! »
"This is what I have done...you can do the same!"
--Henri Mignet (1893-1965)

Pull the nose up, the plane will momentarily stop, this relieves aerodynamic forces, slide the canopy open.....Dan

Certainly true, but the emergency that might require you to get out in a hurry might be a loss of control of some kind. Then again, if you did have some sort emergency release that allowed you to push the front of the canopy up, those aerodynamic forces would probably change pretty quickly.

_________________
Matthew Long, Editor
cluttonfred.info
A site for builders, owners and fans of Eric Clutton's FRED

« Voici ce que j'ai fait...vous pouvez en faire autant! »
"This is what I have done...you can do the same!"
--Henri Mignet (1893-1965)

Ballistic Chute...........this will cover everything, except for the tornado sneaking up behind you on your 6 !! Sorry no sarcasm intended just had to throw that in. If we go through every but , and or if Scenario we will find that flying has some extreme hazards and is just to unsafe for us to be doing, the same can be said about freeway driving, horseback riding and watching Submarine races. The general population even needs cars that can park themselves and put the brakes on without driver input on the pedal, now that my friend is real spooky!! Your Input on safety is appreciated.......Blue Skies to you Dan