I have sold the RV-8

[David-aviator]

Yes, the airplane is sold to much younger friend who helped me build it.

It was tough decision but it hit me this week, if I keep flying it I will wreck it.

Problem is I like to fly - often. Recently flew with direct cross wind, twice quarterly tail wind and nearly lost it.

Ok. Short answer, don?t fly on such days. That?s not good enough.

There aren?t that many good days to fly and to deal with challenge of not wrecking airplane many flights is less than fun at my age. I enjoy flight but don?t need an emergency landing quite so often. And it never made sense to me to own airplane and not fly couple times a week.

So moving forward, have another good friend building RV-12. He says could use help completing it. We will finish the 12 and fly it.

Was difficult decision but it is done.

[rockwoodrv9]

David, you are a smart man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4nJ1YEAp4

[brad walton]

David, I've enjoyed your RV8 related posts over the years. I will make a similar decision about my 8 in the future. I'm always watching for the signs that it is time.
I look forward to your RV12 posts.

[MIKE JG]

Flying stops being fun when you worry too much about that next landing or a windy day.

Respect to you for knowing your limits and wanting to match your skillset with the right airplane.

[David-aviator]

Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9

David, you are a smart man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4nJ1YEAp4

Thanks, I appreciate that.

[Blain]

Originally Posted by brad walton

David, I've enjoyed your RV8 related posts over the years. I will make a similar decision about my 8 in the future. I'm always watching for the signs that it is time.
I look forward to your RV12 posts.

I, too have appreciated your -8 posts.

[TS Flightlines]

David you are a good man----glad you are safe.

Tom

[David-aviator]

Originally Posted by MIKE JG

Flying stops being fun when you worry too much about that next landing or a windy day.

Respect to you for knowing your limits and wanting to match your skillset with the right airplane.

It is landing with less than a head wind component that I find so challenging.

There is a transition from landing to taxi where there is no directional control until tail wheel planted, that is unsettling.

An airport with more than one runway direction would help but here with 8/26 parallels, there are many days with variable south or north wind, one should just leave hangar door closed.

Landing with any headwind component is no problem at all.

[edsong]

Some wouldn't think so, but I think I've been blessed with a grass runway at my farm. The grass is a lot more forgiving than pavement if you're not straight on touchdown. Taildraggers need a lot of attention all the way down to taxi speed.
I think you made a wise decision. I hope you enjoy the 12.

Eddy

[N8RV]

Welcome to the club, David. We are all assembled with different parts -- very few have the same parts as Bob Hoover or Chuck Yeager. Some spent their entire careers flying professionally and keep on flying something until they physically or mentally can't. Others, with the same professional background, never fly again once they retire. How does that happen?

I once commented to Danny King when I was about halfway through my slow build, "I haven't flown in years and haven't missed it. What if I don't WANT to fly when I'm done building?" He just shook his head.

After 13 years of building and 7 years of flying Smokey, I was done. I found flying boring (yes, even in an RV!) And I found myself worrying more about the "what ifs" than simply enjoying flight. I can't explain it. I was just done with flying.

We all change with time, some in different ways. Best of luck building your friend's -12. Maybe you'll discover another way to fit in. Maybe not. It's all good.