Vans RV12 - Approval for Night, IMC & IFR
 

LAA TL2.27 stage 1 type assessment: requires a minimum wing load of 60 kg per sq m.

The RV12 has a wing loading of 50.7 kg per sq m.

Has anyone experienced a particular "gust" problem with this low wing aircraft?
I've not seen it mentioned in any (internet) reviews I've read.

The writer would be interested to hear from any other RV12 owners with a view towards pooling resources to seek a deviation/approval of type.

Our RV12 is equipped with dual screen Dynon Skyview/ Powerflarm/ 2-axis autopilot and standby Artificial Horizon, seems a shame to deny approval.

flyme

My understanding is that the wing loading is not a blanket ban, just puts it in the "less likely to be approved" category.

Oh dear

The poor volunteer group dealing with this are going to be snowed under with this sort of request.

It might be best to publish a list of 'no hopers' as I think a lot of Permit owners are convinced their 'little darling' will be approved.

The problem with safe IFR is that it's not just a question of the avionics, as you appear to think. Wing loading and stability are also factors - hence the popularity of boring, safe types like the PA28 for IFR.

PA28 wing loading 73 kg m2
Cessna 172 wing loading 64.4 kg m2
Cessna 150 wing loading 48.8 kg m2

Of course the figure uses the max take-off weight.

Now take a Cessna 172 at min. weight
e.g. one light pilot plus min fuel
empty wt 646kg
pilot 60kg + 25kg fuel

wing loading reduces to 45 kg m2.

Is this aircraft now deemed unsafe for Night/ IMC & IFR?

"Is this aircraft now deemed unsafe for Night/ IMC & IFR?"

No, it is just not up to LAA standards:E

Rod1

There are quite a few odd requirements in the LAA tech leaflets:

The need to have the standby attitude display from a different manufacturer if using electronic displays. On certified aircraft the essential requirement is to prevent common mode failure, so as long as different complex electronic hardware and software are employed in the two units then they can both come from one maker.

The Garmin G3X 'may' be considered for acceptability, yet it's already OK in an EASA-certified CS-VLA (Tecnam), at least for Night VFR.

Hopefully the requirements will be subject to sensible review and adjustment so they don't remain/get more cumbersome than for certified aircraft.