Anyone flown an RV?

[RocketRob]

I'm considering starting a RV-8 project later this year with my father and was wondering how many of you guys have RV experience. I've only heard positive comments about all the RV's as far as building and flying. Anybody have any info about flying/owning?


Thanks

 

[Stephen]

Never flown one, but I check the progress at www.rvproject.com almost daily.

 

[LR25]

Great flying airplane. I flew a 180HP constant speed prop RV-6.

The only problem I see now with the airplane is the cost. I have an RV-6 kit with all the tail done and the wings almost done. I have been siting on it now for about 8 years becuase of other nesesities, and the problem is, the cost of the kits have gone through the roof since then. By the time your done now a days, your going to have 35-40K in it. That wasnt the case about 10 years ago.

Non the less, its a great airplane.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
I've not flown it, but there is a doctor that built and owns an RV-8 who keeps it in our hangar. Really a sweet looking airplane and from what I understand it uses all pushrod-type controls, so it's fully aerobatic as well. This fellow put a lot of money into the panel too! Has a Garmin 530 and a full stack of digital engine instruments.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[avbug]

I'm building an RV-6. They're a great flying airplane. More responsive with direct linkage control, and a feel closer to a pitts than a comparable light airplane with respect to control sensitivity and responsiveness. They're fairly stable, and in general have no bad habits.

Cost is what youmake it.

 

[ShawnC]

RV's are fun little kit planes. Pretty much the Cessna of kitplanes IMO, they can do just about anything. Including be a little speed demons with the Rocket kit.

In fact about aerobatics I saw an RV-4 compete an Sebring at the Sportsman level, it was so-so sequence, but I can't blame the plane, the pilot made too many mistakes.

 

[dav8or]

I'm building an RV8. Working on the tail now and hope to order the quick build kit this year for the rest. As far as money goes it can be expensive but not compared to what you get vs what you can buy. I plan on spending 100k to finish my kit. I will have a 0 time motor & prop, IFR with a Garmin panel and a plane that can fly 200mph with stol. You can't get more variety out of a plane. There a lot of builders groups to help with the construction. I bet someone close to you is building one right now. I belong to a group of builders and we have meeting every 6-8 weeks at someones hanger and have 25-30 builders show up every time. It's a great resourse. Go to SnF Van will be there taking orders and you can get a ride if you sign up early enough in the week.

 

[Old Crow]

I've flown the Rv-6. Great flying airplane. Very sensitive but you get used to that and that is what makes an airplane good. It rolls on a dime, climbs like a lear, and you look really cool when you taxi up to a croud! Great airplane

I'd rather have the tandem seat model.

 

[neflier]

I have over 500 hours on my RV-6A, so I can probably be of some help here. I've flown your typical GA stuff, Citation, G-IV and now a regional jet. The RV is hands down the most enjoyable flying experience that I have ever had.

As was stated above, all controls are push-pull tubes except the cables to the rudder. The controls are perfectly balanced. Adverse yaw basically doesn't exist. The ailerons are differential freise type. The additional parasitic drag on the low wing balances out the additional induced drag on the high wing.

I have the tip-up canopy. The visibility is unbelievable. Picture the canopy on an f-16. That's the sort of visibility with this canopy.

Performance. Van's numbers are dead on ba!!S accurate, right down to the knot. I have an O-320 swinging a Hatzell C/S. The C/S prop is the way to go with this airplane. I see 163 KTAS at 8,000 ft, burning 8.1 GPH. Initial climb is 1700- 1900 fpm; range is 500 nm with plenty of reserve. 100 lbs baggage and I even put a ski rack through the baggage bulkhead into the tail cone. An 8 hour car ride to Sunday River ski resort is now a 90 minute flight. I routinely fly from New York, up to Maine just to pick up lobsters. I've had the plane all over the country, down to Florida, Jackson, WY, Kalispell, Mt, Oshkosh, etc. Life at 160+ kts is good.

Building. It took me 4.5 yrs. No matter what you do, time will march on, what will you have to show for it? The building was quite enjoyable and relaxing. I've learner many new skills and made a bunch of friends along the way. The experience of taking the first flight in an airplane that you built yourself can't be compared to anything else. Nobody pays any attention when a 152 taxi onto a ramp. The RV always draws a crowd.

MX. Nothing much to talk about here. My RV has been very reliable. A few minor issues, just like any other airplane, during the first 50 hours. Now that I have 500+ hrs, I'm starting to see normal stuff. I replaced tires last year, just replaced a Slick mag, getting ready for new plugs this year, your typical filters, screens, etc. The parts are cheap. I've heard that a mag replacement can cost up to $1300 on a span can. It cost me $450. I just finished an IFR upgrade to the panel and the new blank aluminum panel from Van's cost a whopping $35. I wonder what Cessna charges for a panel? As the builder, I was eligible for a limited repairman certificate. That enables me to perform all '12 month condition inspections' (Annuals are for certified birds).

I figure that I have about $65k into the plane. Most of that cost was a brand new Lycoming, Hatzell and avionics. The airframe was about $15K of the total. Not bad considering that is is a new airplane and the performance associated with it.

Your best bet is to call the EAA www.eaa.org and find a chapter in your area. Give your local chapter a call and attend their next monthly meeting. With the popularity of the RV's your are almost certain to find a local builder.

Bottom line, Building the RV was one of my greatest accomplishments, most enjoable project, etc, etc. etc.

Check you private messages, I'll send you my email if you need any additional info.