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-   -   Questions from non-RV owners (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=147016)

YellowJacket RV9 02-24-2017 02:08 PM

Just parked my unpainted 9A on the ramp at KEYW next to a new Cirrus. I got 3 complements and a thumbs up - he got a big fuel bill.

Chris

N15JB 02-24-2017 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrank71 (Post 1152948)
That is exactly what drove me to the -10. Ease of maintenance both man hours and $$$.

My typical load is myself, wife, 18 year old daughter, 16 year old son and my girls 80 lbs of bags. Plus I normally leave with full fuel. Always climb out at 1000fpm, usually around 115-120 kts and cruise 170 on 13gph. No other plane can do it. You can get close, but it will cost you so much more. I have a friend with a Cessna Columbia and he spends north of $25k/year to maintain. I couldn't spend $2000 on a CI if I tried, and that includes the A&P that spends a full day assisting with FWF.

Gotta love this plane. Getting ready to launch on a West coast trip to Palm Springs from South Texas Wednesday. About 950nm. Can't wait!

I agree with all you said, but your fuel flow caught my eye. I get the same performance on 10.5-11 gph. Have you carefully balanced your injectors?

skylor 02-25-2017 01:12 AM

Bo
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by istrumit (Post 1152942)
You can get the performance, speed wise at least, from a Bo or a 22, although you can't get the useful load.

I know this comparison has been knocked around a million times on this board.

But, holy cow, what a machine the 10 is, and what sold me on it was that its soooooo much cheaper to maintain than certified.

I could buy a used 22. It wouldn't be as pretty and new looking as my ten for the same price, but I could have purchased one. BUT, I could not have afforded to maintain it. That's what makes the RV a no brainer, IMO

-8 builder/pilot here but I do have some Bonanza time. Actually, older A-36 models do have a pretty good useful load and CG range and are pretty efficient for an airplane of their size. They fly pretty nicely too, but they do cost a lot more to maintain.

Skylor
RV-8

jfrank71 02-25-2017 08:00 AM

I have not balanced my injectors. Have given it some thought, but never moved on it. Any suggestions on who could help with a project like that?

rvbuilder2002 02-25-2017 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N15JB (Post 1153074)
I agree with all you said, but your fuel flow caught my eye. I get the same performance on 10.5-11 gph. Have you carefully balanced your injectors?

I agree, and get the same.
He didn't say at what altitude (A lot of flat landers never get above 5000' :o)... that makes a huge difference.

snopercod 02-25-2017 09:18 AM

I'm jealous
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by istrumit (Post 1152855)
I had my wife, my 15 year old son (who is taller than I am), my 12 year old daughter (who is the same size as my wife), myself, our 50 pound dog, our luggage, a K-cup coffee maker (luggage), and 40 gallons of fuel.

I'm very jealous. The useful load on my Lancair 235 with me in the plane is only 320 lbs. Add full fuel and I can only carry 60 additional lbs.

jfrank71 02-25-2017 09:26 AM

Normal cruising altitude for 13gph/170kts is 7500-8500. That seems to be the sweet spot. Can go higher and save some fuel, but most trips are 1 hour or less.

CubedRoot 02-25-2017 09:31 AM

You guys are making me want to sell my RV-7 tail kit and start on an RV-10 :-)

When I bought my tools and eventually my RV-7 tail kit, It was just my wife and I. Now, I have a beautiful 9 month old daughter.

I told my wife that I will probably start on an RV-10 once I get the -7 built. Ha. Of course, I also said a few weeks after my daughter was born that when she turns 15, I'll give her the choice of my buying her a car or a Cessna to learn to fly.

Those RV-10's are probably the best value for performance and load thats on the market. That design would make a fantastic certified aircraft that would probably outsell the Cirrus.

aturner 02-25-2017 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 (Post 1153126)
I agree, and get the same.
He didn't say at what altitude (A lot of flat landers never get above 5000' :o)... that makes a huge difference.

My flight testing shows an improvement of 0.3 nmpg per 1000ft. I can get 170 kts. on 10.0 gph, but only at 10,000 ft. and higher. The effects on altitude on RV-10 performance are really striking.



The above data are from a couple dozen cross-country trips with the family. Each line is a 30-minute window of constant conditions, downloaded from the G3X and averaged for each variable. Fuel flows and TAS have been repeatedly verified. I understand why the certified guys are skeptical. :-)

Mike S 02-25-2017 09:57 AM



13,500 msl

9.5 gph

Had a bit of a tailwind :D

Somewhere between SLC and Torrington WY


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