Weight on tail wheel

[Stewbronco]

Hi folks ….just wondering how many pounds on your tail wheel as last weigh in ….? …..also what would be your max passenger / baggage weight ? Thanks. Stew

[Flyhud]

Mine is at 53.5#

[Stewbronco]

Sorry …should have added the additional question ….thanks for response. Cheers. Stew

[fixnflyguy]

Stew, my T/W weight was around 47 lbs. when I first weighed it and my "personal" limit for passenger is 200 lbs. The figures posted are somewhat irrelevant because its possible to have variance in T/W weight based on nose weight as you can surmise. My personal experience with RV-4's, mine included ,is that if the plane is within build/W&B recommendations from Vans, your back seaters weight capability may exceed what your comfortable handling in various conditions. If I have a "hefty" person that wants an RV grin, I make sure I'm at full fuel (CG moves FWD), smoke tank (in cargo area) is empty and I set my trim for take-off to my hefty PAX position. I can carry more than a 200 lb. person because I have before, but the pitch just gets too sensitive, and any emergency maneuver like bird avoidance or go-around requires forward thinking before doing, or the G-meter gets excited or the nose rockets up on go-around. Also, if you are traveling, and fly to minimum fuel (CG AFT) things can really get your attention. Plenty of folks on here have had the 220-275 lb. PAX, but that is no fun! Again, these are personal limits for me, and i dont make many exceptions.

[swjohnsey]

I have a nose heavy RV-4, IO-360, Hartzel CS prop, tail wheel 40.6. What they said about heavy pax. It can get very interesting. Be wary of takeoff trim setting and don't try to three point it.

[andoman]

I, too have a nose heavy plane. I worked up to my aft CG comfort level with weights in backpacks secured in the rear seat and baggage compartment.
I can fly comfortably with 200 lbs. in the back.

[YellerDaisy]

53 lbs.

I limit passengers to 160 lbs.