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10-08-2015, 06:02 PM
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 72
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RV Decision...Narrowing it in.
I've gone back and forth between the RV7A, 14A, and now the 8/8A. After a demo flight in the 14 and endless talks with other builders. Im leaning towards the 8 or 8A.
I have a family of 4, but not willing to commit to the extra costs of a 4-seater. I'm a bigger guy (6'3 240) and its a little tight for me in a RV7. Thus narrowing my scope in the 14/8.
After seeing the RV 8 up close and talking with owners it seems like its a fantasic plane. Also I can save a bunch of $$$ plus its a more mature design with a larger support/option network. So the scales are tipping for me towards the RV8.
Question Time
-How is the RV8 for longer cross countries for passenger an pilot?
-Bigger guys. Have any issues with feeling cramped?
-Am i crazy or choosing the RV8 over the 14?
Thanks
Roger
__________________
Roger Kiefer II
EAA Chapter 18 Member
EAA HBP/HBC Volunteer
Wisconsin Fox River Flyer Club Member
Waukesha, WI (KUES)
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10-08-2015, 06:20 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Montgomery, Tx
Posts: 44
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I am 6'2" 240 and I have zero complaints. I have the adjustable rudder pedals set at the second to last notch so there is room to move them a little further out. I have flown my -8 from Houston to OSH with my father-in-law in the backseat and made it with one stop each direction. Plenty comfortable for both of us.

Last edited by Capfo : 10-08-2015 at 06:30 PM.
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10-08-2015, 06:24 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkiefer2
I've gone back and forth between the RV7A, 14A, and now the 8/8A. After a demo flight in the 14 and endless talks with other builders. Im leaning towards the 8 or 8A.
I have a family of 4, but not willing to commit to the extra costs of a 4-seater. I'm a bigger guy (6'3 240) and its a little tight for me in a RV7. Thus narrowing my scope in the 14/8.
After seeing the RV 8 up close and talking with owners it seems like its a fantasic plane. Also I can save a bunch of $$$ plus its a more mature design with a larger support/option network. So the scales are tipping for me towards the RV8.
Question Time
-How is the RV8 for longer cross countries for passenger an pilot?
-Bigger guys. Have any issues with feeling cramped?
-Am i crazy or choosing the RV8 over the 14?
Thanks
Roger
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Find a local -8 owner and have your likely flying companion sit in the back for a 30+ minute flight, then get her (?) input. The -8 has a large canopy and plenty of elbow room, but some passengers tire of watching the back of the pilot's head and/or feeling like luggage in the back.
__________________
Kyle Boatright
Marietta, GA
2001 RV-6 N46KB
2019(?) RV-10
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10-08-2015, 06:30 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 1,029
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Are you going to have a regular passenger? Are either of your kids interested in learning to fly? That might be something to factor into your decision.
I really wanted a -4 or an -8. But my wife said "if you ever want me to fly with you, I'm going to sit next to you". So, I'm building a -7.
Dad faced the same decision (he wanted a -4), but he knew Mom would want to sit next to him, and he knew I'd be wanting to fly. That's why he went with a -6.
If the second seat's going to be occupied most of the time, you might want to revisit the side-by-side idea. Also, I only have about half an hour in the back of an -8 vs. lots of time in the -6, but crew coordination on a cross-country (if the other person is of any help) might be a lot easier sitting next to each other rather than tandem.
__________________
RV-7ER - finishing kit and systems installation
There are two kinds of fool in the world. The first says "this is old, and therefore good"; the second says "this is new, and therefore better".
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10-08-2015, 07:03 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chicago sw suburbs
Posts: 395
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The sandwiches are easier to reach
If they are sitting besides you instead of being in the back seat if there's no one back there to pass them to you.
__________________
Jim Woolard C56
N9855J RV-6 Donated 2020
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10-08-2015, 07:04 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
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Tandems have many advantages for comfort compared to the side by sides, and the -8 in particular has a very flexible cargo configuration. The -8 carried my wife and I comfortably from So Cal to Osh a few years ago with clothes, camping gear, tools and food. We were maxed out at every fuel stop, but it was a perfectly acceptable ride.
The tandem vs side by side boils down to 3 things:
1. What does she want?
2. Is she "crew" or a "passenger"?
3. What does she want?
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
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Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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10-11-2015, 01:15 PM
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 72
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Thanks for the advice and input. Much appreciated.
__________________
Roger Kiefer II
EAA Chapter 18 Member
EAA HBP/HBC Volunteer
Wisconsin Fox River Flyer Club Member
Waukesha, WI (KUES)
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10-11-2015, 01:44 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 1,301
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The -8 in turbulence fishtails just a little. You won't notice it up front but I've had a CFI friend get queasy in the back in very light turbulence. Also, check not how much room there is in the back but how much wiggle room. Lastly, get some family members rides in each so they feel listened to and have buy-in in the decision.
__________________
RV-9A at KSAV (Savannah, GA; dual G3X Touch with autopilot, GTN650, GTX330ES, GDL52 ADSB-In)
Previously RV-4, RV-8, RV-8A, AirCam, Cessna 175
ATP CFII PhD, so I have no excuses when I screw up
2020 dues slightly overpaid
Retired - "They used to pay me to be good, now I'm good for nothing."
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10-11-2015, 04:10 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,868
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Uncomfortable in the back
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed_Wischmeyer
Also, check not how much room there is in the back but how much wiggle room.
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This is a very astute comment. I had my first flight in the back of an RV8 recently. It was only a 1 hour flight but in the end I found that it got progressively more uncomfortable as the flight continued. There's plenty of room in the back but no room to move your legs around....they're stuck either side of the pilot's seat in a confined space. Your legs are spread apart and after a while I had a terrible urge to want to move them around...to change position....but I couldn't.
The RV8 is very comfortable in the front but I was glad to get out of the back seat after an hour.
Some comments about how comfortable the RV8 is in the back seat may be coming from builder/pilots who have never actually spent any real time in the back. 
__________________
You’re only as good as your last landing 
Bob Barrow
RV7A
Last edited by Captain Avgas : 10-11-2015 at 04:18 PM.
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10-11-2015, 05:11 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: hilltop lakes' Texas
Posts: 135
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After all the searching, don't forget that you are 6'4" 240. This works well in the -8.
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