RV-6 should I buy one? - Page 3

Superman1s · #21 10-13-2016, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceMe

Many RV'rs prefer wheel landings, and I have to say, I personally feel they are easier. But 3-point is fine and I prefer them for getting the slowest/shortest landing role. Just be aware that it can land tail first.

One thing I should say... I enjoy landing an RV more than any other airplane I've ever flow. It's an addictive combination of hyper-bouncy landing gear yet totally honest flying (especially around stall). While in the air she just begs you to make it flawless every time, and yet at the moment of truth you almost always come up ever so slightly short and skip and skitter. Every once in a while... you time everything right and magic happens! Who needs golf!?

Thank you!

Superman1s · #22 10-13-2016, 09:30 AM

I am going for a ride in a R7 with side by seating and an R8 tandem either today or tomorrow. The owner who owns both planes said he prefers the 8 because it feels like war bird, and visibility is better when taxing. I am looking at a side by side R6. I think my wife will enjoy flying next to me rather then being in the back seat. If I was by myself i'd go for the tandem.

Toobuilder · #23 10-13-2016, 09:45 AM

The RV-6 is a great choice because they are excellent airplanes that have somewhat lost favor in the market compared to the newer -7. If you are going for a flying airplane, then a well built -6 is a great value. That said, if you prefer a tandem, figure that part out with your spouse first. Not all wives need to be next to you. After spending plenty of time in both configurations, mine strongly prefers her "nest" in the back. Put that issue to bed before you pull the trigger.

Veetail88 · #24 10-13-2016, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman1s

I think my wife will enjoy flying next to me rather then being in the back seat. If I was by myself i'd go for the tandem.

I was single when I started my build so I went with the 8. I love it! Wife 2.0 has been in the airplane a total of about 7 times so I'm still thrilled with my choice. If your wife will fly with you a lot, there's no doubt the side by side models are preferable........to the wives!

Toobuilder · #25 10-13-2016, 01:06 PM

While there is no doubt that the overwhelming percentage of wives prefer the side by side, that is of no consequence if your wife strongly prefers the tandems. This is not something you can figure out by popularity polls. It's a very individual choice, and should be carefully considered.

schaplerrh · #26 10-13-2016, 01:32 PM

Before I pulled the trigger, I arranged for my wife take a couple flights in a Citabria with another flight instructor so she could sample GA flying, a tandem, and basic acro. This was time and money well spent; we now enjoy our RV-7. Marital harmony is bliss!

BruceMe · #27 10-14-2016, 08:47 AM

I've owned a -3, -4 and now the -6. I haven't flown the 6 yet, but I'm pretty confident I'll get my wife up more often now. My plan is to later get an old simple O-290 hand prop -3 project for solo fun. I have room in the hangar/budget. Thinking like 10k.

Superman1s · #28 11-01-2016, 11:28 AM

Flew an RV-6 yesterday, right seat, very awkward! Weather was not cooperating, very bumpy with crosswinds 40-30 degrees, 10 gusting to 17kts. The plane has a 0360 180hp CS prop. Plenty of power for sure! Controls were sensitive but too sensitive. Slowing her down on approach is definitely more challenging than the Citabria, very slippery aircraft. Below 100 with 20 degrees of flaps it felt a bit mushy. Hopefully the airport elevation of over 5k ft and weather conditions had a lot to do with the mushiness! I did not check the density altitude, temp was around 70.
Cockpit space is small but okay. Ground maneuvering was a awesome. Harder to see over the nose than Ciabria for sure, should have been sitting on a phone book, ha ha! I'm 5'10", if I stretched I could just see the RW centerline. The cockpit gauges are all steam. Would like to have glass but sure if its worth the investment, comments please! Aircraft does auto pilot which works off of a Garmin 296. First time using CS prop. It was a strange sensation when I decreased the throttle, hearing the motor rpm's remain the same. Overall I think the RV could be a fun plane once I had time in it! Any comments would be appreciated, thanks!

JonJay · #29 11-01-2016, 12:00 PM

You will have to get used to the control feel differences between it and the Citrabria, but it should not feel "too sensitive" and certainly not "mushy" when under 100mph. These are symptoms of the trailing edge of the ailerons not being formed correctly if I had to guess.
This is easy to check and relatively easy to fix. It is a very common problem and lots of flying aircraft out there being piloted by folks who don't know the difference.

Even two up at 5000ft, you should have solid positive control and control pressure/sensitivity should not change dramatically between cruise and slow flight. It will feel a bit different, but not from those two extremes, even in those conditions.

As far as visibility, the 6 is the worst in the fleet, but it still isn't bad compared to, oh, my Bucker! I am also 5'10".

Neal@F14 · #30 11-01-2016, 12:07 PM

The RV-6 is a wonderful airplane to fly. I have really enjoyed mine since I bought it back in April 2012, and have flown it to Oshkosh 5 years in a row, and to Johnson Creek Idaho twice.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and I must now sell it to pay for some upcoming medical expenses. I'll be posting an ad here on VAF shortly with the details. It's one of the prettiest, and best-constructed examples of an RV-6 on the entire planet, IMHO.