GA Aircraft Flown

[HuggyU2]

I see this topic come up as "thread creep" in other threads, and figured I'd start a thread.

A nice photo of an RV was recently posted.  I figure there is a good brain-trust around here with the RV-line of aircraft, and others.  

I met a Captain building an RV-14.  Sounds like the ultimate RV to me.  Really interested in learning more.  Do any of you have experience with one yet?

https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv14.htm

[pilot]

Deleted

Edited June 12, 2019 by pilot

[EvilEagle]

My first airplane was a Glasair; kind of a cheaper RV.  Not nearly the solid community as the RV folks - it's damn near a cult over there.  :)  When I go back to Delta, I'm going to use the time I'm not doing green dot, OPRs, MICP, MICT, form 8's, gradesheets, leave approvals, IRC, MEO, GOVCC, CBRNE and all the other excellent ancillary USAF stuff to build a plane.  One thing I learned quick about owning an experimental - if you didn't build it yourself you will get sick of people asking you "did you build it?" really quick.  I've got my eye on an F-1 Rocket to build...

[Orbit]

I own a RV-6 and I felt like it was the best trade-off of all the RVs from the used market perspective.

The RV-4 has better visibility.  But the tandem seating the CG becomes a issue more often and there is less/just about no cargo space.

The RV-7 has slightly more fuel/cargo capability but there are less of them on the market versus the RV-6.  There are some other small changes between the two but the lower cost of the 6 outweighed them.

I'd love to build a RV-8 when I have the time some day when i'm older but they are damn expensive used.

RV-9s are for X-C cruising, no aerobatics.

RV-10s are for small families.

RV-12s are for old dudes that lost their medical.

RV-14s are for fat old dudes or if you just want some extra breathing room.

I have a blast every time I go flying. It is really cool to be able to cruise somewhere at 165 KTAS burning 8 GPH or just around buzzing cows.

 

[Springer]

Huggy, of all the RVs, the -14 goes together much quicker than any of them according to a guy that gave a presentation to our RV group who first built a -10 then the -14.   Every time I get into a -7 or -6 it seems small because your shoulders touch.  The -8 feels roomy in comparison.

As someone has mentioned, the best flying RV is the -4 when SOLO which I flew 99% of the time.  Cockpit is tight when compared to the -8:  

 

Edited April 17, 2018 by Springer

[di1630]

I have a “certified” 4 place family hauler aircraft and after 10+ years of paying “certified” prices for upgrades and old sh-tty “certified” radios etc, I will only buy experimental here on out.

A flight in an RV-8 sold me. Was terrific but I have plans for the RV-7.

Also think I’ll get a Kitfox for my off airport needs. Have not flown one but they seem pretty sweet.

[HU&W]

10 hours ago, Orbit said:

RV-14s are for fat old dudes or if you just want some extra breathing room.

What about really tall middle aged dudes that are kinda heavy?

[Buddy Spike]

11 hours ago, EvilEagle said:

My first airplane was a Glasair; kind of a cheaper RV.  Not nearly the solid community as the RV folks - it's damn near a cult over there.  :)  When I go back to Delta, I'm going to use the time I'm not doing green dot, OPRs, MICP, MICT, form 8's, gradesheets, leave approvals, IRC, MEO, GOVCC, CBRNE and all the other excellent ancillary USAF stuff to build a plane.  One thing I learned quick about owning an experimental - if you didn't build it yourself you will get sick of people asking you "did you build it?" really quick.  I've got my eye on an F-1 Rocket to build...

No kidding.  My first airplane was also a Glasair.  I RG.  Hard to beat 160 kts on 6-7 gph but you're absolutely right about building it.  Buyer beware.  You can inherit a lot of pre-existing issues.

[SocialD]

6 hours ago, di1630 said:

A flight in an RV-8 sold me. Was terrific but I have plans for the RV-7.

Also think I’ll get a Kitfox for my off airport needs. Have not flown one but they seem pretty sweet.

RVs are awesome planes and I had the order form filled out for an RV-7.  However, after talking with quite a few builders I decided to hold off, maybe down the road.  Orbit gave a pretty good description above about the various RVs.  I'll add that I really wanted the RV-9 but after lots of research figured you're much better off with the RV-7.  They're pretty close to the same plane, but the 7 is aerobatic.  This is huge for resale value!    

If you like the Kitfox, you have got to check out this guys videos.  His day job deals with filming/expensive cameras, plus he lives near a bunch of BLM land, which means he can land anywhere can make awesome videos.  Also, check out the Rans S-7 or S-20 if you're interested in an alternative to the Kitfox.  I've flown with a few Captains recently that have built the S-7 and they love them.  I've flown both, they are a blast to fly and they're essentially the same plane, but the 7 is tandem and the 20 is side-by-side.

I ended up going with the Rans S-21 and my wing kit is showing up to my garage in a few hours.  I don't really care to fly aerobatics in an aircraft that doesn't have an ejection seat, and would rather bounce around the local dirt strips, with the occasional weekend trip.  It's relatively new, but much of his stuff is being reused from other kits he has designed.  It's STOL-like but will cruise around 155mph @ 75% with a 180hp motor.  For me the build time/complexity was a huge factor, and that's another place this plane excels.  Given that it's all aluminum (CNC milled parts...read very little drilling/deburring) and built mostly with blind rivets, they're forecasting 500 hours, not including paint.  Based on a few bloggers that have already started their wings, that seems fairly accurate.  On top of that, there are very few times where you need another person there to help you, which is key since I live by myself and don't want to have to always bribe my buddies to buck rivets for me.  

Here is one that is already built.   It's hard to tell in the pic, but the doors and roof are all lexan...great for visibility.  Cargo space is pretty awesome and is easy to access due to the large door and seat that fold down quite a bit.

Edited April 17, 2018 by SocialD

[MDDieselPilot]

My grandfather built and flew a RV4 back in the 90s.. O320 160hp motor.  IIRC it burned about 7gph and would cruise at 165I.  I do recall him saying he didn't like taking guys over 200lbs in the back b/c of the CG, but would do it on occasion.  Other than being limited on space, fantastic airplane.

[Stitch]

17 hours ago, EvilEagle said:

... solid community as the RV folks - it's damn near a cult over there.  :)  ...

Wrong sir. It IS a cult!        Got a ride in the back seat of this awhile back https://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/25226591/2011-vans-rv-8  awesome little airplane. If I only had the cash, it'd be mine... 

[HuggyU2]

14 hours ago, SocialD said:

I ended up going with the Rans S-21 and my wing kit is showing up to my garage in a few hours.  I

I had forgotten about Rans!  I flew an S-12 a few times years ago, and really enjoyed it.  It even had a BRS chute on it.  I'm glad to see they are still innovating, and will definitely look at their product line as an option for me.  

Edited April 18, 2018 by HuggyU2

[Siegzy]

21 hours ago, SocialD said:

 I don't really care to fly aerobatics in an aircraft that doesn't have an ejection seat, and would rather bounce around the local dirt strips, with the occasional weekend trip.  

My buddy I and just got hired at Beale (tankers) and were looking at going 50/50 on a PA-20 Pacer with fat tires. Trent Palmer is up in Reno, and Kevin Quinn does his HSF thing up at Dead Cow every year. Pseudo bush flying sounds like an awesome time.

[HuggyU2]

Siegzy, welcome to Beale. Lots of GA flyers there  

Be sure to check out the High Sierra flyin which is held annually. 

[08Dawg]

Been flying a Piper Comanche 250 lately. A buddy I work with owns it, and generously added me to his insurance policy. Thing will scoot!  Lots of room and I don’t think you could really get it out of CG if you tried. 

[spaceman]

I'm jealous of you guys with your completed projects!!!  I've been building a Waiex-B for the last year and a half (really more like 8 or 9 months of actual work between deployments and TDY's...), and I think I'm about halfway done.  It's like a somewhat cheaper/smaller RV-6/7.  So far I've spent about $20k on the complete airframe kit, but I haven't bought an engine yet.  I expect my total cost in the end will be $35-40k.  I'm deployed now and can't wait to get back to work on it!  This is my first build so I have spent plenty of time scratching my head, but overall it has gone together fairly easily so far.  I'm hoping I can at least have the airframe pretty much together before I PCS, otherwise it's going to be a huge pain to move it.  We'll see.

Pics attached.  The aft fuselage is pretty much done, I just can't attach the tail or rivet the top half yet or it won't fit out my basement door.  The forward fuselage is where I left off when I deployed.  The wings are 99% done and in the garage for storage!

Kit info here:  https://www.sonexaircraft.com/waiex/

 

[HuggyU2]

Take me flying when it is done!

[Vprdrvr69]

Huggy. I've spent the last 7.5 years deliberating and waiting for life to slow down so I can build my RV-7. I waited so long that eventually the -14 was introduced and I was quickly sold on it. When my profit sharing check showed up a couple of months ago, my wife told me to buy the dam tail kit already (she's a keeper!); guess she got tired of my constant yapping about it. I went to the Vans factory last month as well and got the full tour and RV-14A flight.

Having flown in -6, -7, -8, and now the -14, I have a decent ability to compare them. Of course, I am now building the -14 so I am a little biased. The best way to think about the -14 is "2 seat RV-10 capable of gentlemans aero, and builds more like a -12." It is by far the best to sit in for room/comfort and has great visibility with the lowered longerons (-8 would be close). It's very light and nimble but also very well balanced. The -10 airfoil used was a great choice (just shorter span) for cross country or IFR. Also, the usable load is insane. You can almost always take full fuel and load- literally two hop across the country if you can sit for that long. Usable load for aero is great as well, especially compared to -6/-4. It's a hot rod like any RV. The throaty -390 lifts the -14 off the ground as fast as you can gently apply full power. I swear within seconds of leveling off at 2500 we were already doing 150+. My plan is to fly with Mrs. Wonderful Wifey all over the country and then beyond. She would absolutely appreciate the difference between the -7 and -14A. I also want to be able to introduce people to basic aero (loops, rolls, Cuban-8's, etc).

If you're thinking about the -14 you will not be disappointed. The quality of the kit components and instructions are incredible. My hold up will be waiting for money as opposed to time. As my project gets underway, you're more than welcome to come visit. I'm up the road in Truckee.

Cheers!

(Pic of -14 and -14A)

[Orbit]

I'm going to bring this thread back, lets keep posting pictures and videos.

Here is some loose formation cruising in the middle of nowhere with a buddy.

[jonlbs]

They arent RV’s but beats the hell out of bending wrenches for a living. 

Firm believer all it takes is a good mission/purpose and all pilots would get back into GA (usually involves convincing a student/pilot to plan a X/C to a casino and they are hooked)

 

[KODAK]

One of the most meaningful flights I have done thus far in the RV:

 

[Springer]

Everyone likes cockpit pics.  RV-4 I owned pre EFIS's and RV-8.  As you can see I like simplicity.  No desire to fly SE IFR. 

 

Edited June 11, 2019 by Springer

[08Dawg]

Got to do a pretty cool thing in March. Flew the first flight of a four leg journey for a retiring military working dog through Pilots n Paws. His former handler adopted him, but the dog was in ND (two minutes from my office incidentally) and the family lives in Missouri. Had to wait two months for a break in the shitty winter weather, but it was very special to help an AF dog and his former AF handler reunite. If you want to find a mission or purpose for your recreational flying, Pilots n Paws is a great one to get into.  

[Sneedro]

On 6/11/2019 at 10:46 PM, 08Dawg said:

Got to do a pretty cool thing in March. Flew the first flight of a four leg journey for a retiring military working dog through Pilots n Paws. His former handler adopted him, but the dog was in ND (two minutes from my office incidentally) and the family lives in Missouri. Had to wait two months for a break in the shitty winter weather, but it was very special to help an AF dog and his former AF handler reunite. If you want to find a mission or purpose for your recreational flying, Pilots n Paws is a great one to get into.  

I fly Pilots N Paws missions as well but in the northeast.  I saw this trip when I was looking around for something when I had availability.  So badly wished I had been in the midwest to help out on that one.  Cant say enough good things about PnP for those looking for a mission in recreational flying.

 

🥃 to you for helping on that one!

[Orbit]

Anyone else headed to Oshkosh this week?