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-   -   PA-28-180 to RV12 - Am I crazy? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=182333)

JFCRV12 05-12-2020 06:28 AM

[EDIT] -- Ah, I see you're running a UL Power 350IS... That makes more sense now.

How in the world are you getting 125KTAS on 4.7 in an RV-12 let alone 138KTAS? Are the book #s that conservative?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rongawer (Post 1429519)
It all depends on how you build your -12, but I have yet to see a PA28 do 138KTAS... or cruise 125KTAS on 4.7 gph. :cool:


Paragon 05-12-2020 07:23 AM

JVC,

I'm an aircraft owner wannabe in your area. Went to EAA meetings at KHAO, until I decided buying an existing aircraft was better for me than building.

I may be a potential buyer for your Cherokee if you sell it. Or maybe partner.

I have flown an RV-12 with Van's east coast rep. Very nimble aircraft with excellent modern avionics.

But there are some drawbacks.

1. Very low wing loading - I would expect to bounce around a lot in turbulence, and would expect landing in gusty conditions to be challenging.
2. Didn't care for fuel tank behind seats from a safety standpoint.
3. Visibility was great, but canopy was in head-banging range for a tall pilot, and Garmin screens were rather washed out in bright sunlight.
4. Overall impression of RV-12 was "flimsy". Perhaps all LSA's are. Lots of airframe SBs to comply with.

The RV-12is is a significant improvement in many areas except low wing loading.

Also have flown an RV-9a, which was excellent in many respects. Haven't flown a PA-28, but would like to.

PM me if you'd like to discuss further.

-Paragon
Cincinnati, OH

Piper J3 05-12-2020 07:30 AM

"flimsy" Better put on a flame suit...

DaveWelch 05-12-2020 05:42 PM

flimsy?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper J3 (Post 1429584)
"flimsy" Better put on a flame suit...

Or look at one being built...

NinerBikes 05-15-2020 09:03 AM

Just what is the skin thickness of the aluminum on a RV-12 to get 750 # vs 1050 or so on a svelte RV-9A ? .020" vs .025" or ???

rongawer 05-15-2020 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinerBikes (Post 1430458)
Just what is the skin thickness of the aluminum on a RV-12 to get 750 # vs 1050 or so on a svelte RV-9A ? .020" vs .025" or ???

Nearly all of the skins are 0.025". Section 4 of the KAI lists each of them for reference. There are numerous reasons the 9 has a higher empty weight than the 12, starting with the engine and prop, but it's also a slightly larger aircraft overall (longer wings and bigger fuselage).

With your new acquisition, if you haven't already done so, I recommend buying the drawing USB file drive from Van's.

NinerBikes 06-01-2020 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rongawer (Post 1430474)
Nearly all of the skins are 0.025". Section 4 of the KAI lists each of them for reference. There are numerous reasons the 9 has a higher empty weight than the 12, starting with the engine and prop, but it's also a slightly larger aircraft overall (longer wings and bigger fuselage).

With your new acquisition, if you haven't already done so, I recommend buying the drawing USB file drive from Van's.

It will be coming with the big build notebook, on rings. Had to go digging in section 43 C and D today.... to get a feel for the layout of the avionics up against the firewall, behind the instrument panel... Backup Battery time for the Skyview. Might need to find a ferry to get her back home.

JFCRV12 06-02-2020 07:40 PM

Welp, I did it
 
Welp, I did it. I sold the PA28. Now the quest to replace begins. First stop is an RV-12 ride!

NinerBikes 06-02-2020 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFCRV12 (Post 1435767)
Welp, I did it. I sold the PA28. Now the quest to replace begins. First stop is an RV-12 ride!

Just a fair warning... if you're an older guy that's, ahem, not as svelte as you once were, and two of you go up in the plane climbing, at or near 1320 gross, and then you fly it solo, percentage wise, there is a huge difference in how quickly it climbs.:eek: I'm an old 152 and 172 Cessna passenger, and circling to climb was standard back in the day. Not so with the RV-12, unless you have severe density altitude conditions


The RV grin hasn't been patented yet, but it's very hard to fly one solo and not end up wearing one shortly thereafter. Very hard, if you start off near sea level.

JFCRV12 06-02-2020 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinerBikes (Post 1435770)
Just a fair warning... if you're an older guy that's, ahem, not as svelte as you once were, and two of you go up in the plane climbing, at or near 1320 gross, and then you fly it solo, percentage wise, there is a huge difference in how quickly it climbs.:eek:

The RV grin hasn't been patented yet, but it's very hard to fly one solo and not end up wearing one shortly thereafter. Very hard, if you start off near sea level.

Field elevation is ~650ft. I?m 6ft 190 and still fair young at 47. Cant wait!


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