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07-08-2018, 04:39 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Durant, Ok
Posts: 27
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RV6 For IFR Flight
Hello all! Future RVATOR here. My dream is to build an RV someday but I'm still deciding which one I want to build. In the mean time, I'm considering purchasing an RV. I really want to experience that RV grin in my own RV sooner rather than later. :-) I'm considering selling my Cherokee 140 and purchasing an IFR equipped RV6. My mission will potentially include a 120nm commute once a week. I'm currently working on my IFR ticket in my 140 and won't move forward with an RV purchase until after I complete my IFR training.
My question is what is the RV6 like as an IFR platform? If/when I purchase an RV, I definitely want it to be IFR equipped and certified (or certifiable) with an IFR GPS and autopilot.
I have flown with a friend in his RV7, and I absolutely loved it! That solidified my intent to own/build an RV. Any input is much appreciated and if this is in the wrong forum, let me know and I'll be glad to move my post.
Thanks all!
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07-08-2018, 05:29 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwav8or
My question is what is the RV6 like as an IFR platform? If/when I purchase an RV, I definitely want it to be IFR equipped and certified (or certifiable) with an IFR GPS and autopilot.
Thanks all!
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First, a language thing. No EAB airplane is ?IFR certified?. You need to look at that particular airplane?s (the one you might buy) ?Operating Limitations?. If you see ?VFR only? then you may have a problem. Fortunately, you will most likely read, ?VFR only unless equipped in accordance with FAR 91.205...?, then you?re good to go ifr as long as the specified equipment is on board.
I think you?ll find the RV much less stable than what you?ve been flying. Great for vfr, but tiring for ifr. An autopilot is a good idea, just to keep you fresh.
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07-08-2018, 06:18 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, California
Posts: 924
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Heated pitot, backup primary instrumentation (gauges and avionics) and adequate electrical system are appropriate. You will find that a good autopilot (including altitude hold) really aids in managing workload. Too many gadgets and nice-to-have extras may negatively impact your useful load -- particularly when endeavoring to carry max IFR reserves fuel.
__________________
David Heal - Windsor, CA (near Santa Rosa)
EAA #23982 (circa 1965) - EAA Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor; CFI - A&I
RV-12 E-LSA #120496 (SV w/ AP and ADS-B 2020) - N124DH flying since March 2014 - 940+ hours (as of September 2020)! 
V AF donation through June 2021.
Last edited by DHeal : 07-08-2018 at 06:22 PM.
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07-09-2018, 06:29 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 917
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As mentioned, a good autopilot would be my first requirement. After that, avionics similar to your 140 for muscle memory?s sake. Everything else is negotiable, IMHO.
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Mike C.
Sierra Nevada
RV-6A bought flying
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07-09-2018, 11:36 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,565
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If your IFR skills are sharp, the RV will be no problem in IFR conditions. An autopilot is nice, as others have said, but if you know how to trim the aircraft then I wouldn't consider it a go/no-go item.
Whenever this question comes up, I feel that the discussion always turns towards the negative aspects of the RV in IMC. Yeah, it's not going to stay-exactly-where-you-put-it like an Archer or 182. On the other hand, the light touch that makes the RV so fun to fly also makes it very capable during an ILS. I've done many ILSes to Cat-I mins (200 & ½) in mine and it's wonderfully responsive. Climb performance is another thing; being able to climb out of an inadvertant icing encounter or being able to be well above the MEA are also strengths relative to many other piston singles.
I would say that it's a great IFR platform, but one that requires proficiency more than others. It's probably less tolerant of the six-approaches-every-six-months crowd, but in exchange rewards the six-approaches-per-month crowd with performance, handling, and capability that exceeds the norm.
KCOQ RNAV (GPS) 17 to near-min LPV ceilings (click picture to watch video) on windy and wet day :

__________________
Brad Benson, Maplewood MN.
RV-6A N164BL, Flying since Nov 2012!
If you're not making mistakes, you're probably not making anything
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07-29-2018, 09:17 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: 52F
Posts: 187
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Hey Brad,
Do you have a pic of your RV panel? I am in the process of updating mine.
Thx
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46 Luscombe 8a Rag Wing, Armstrong starter
RV-6, IO-320, Catto, G3X Panel (Thanks Walt!)
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07-29-2018, 09:30 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Floyds Knobs, IN
Posts: 633
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Do you want to shoot spproaches or just pass through some IMC?
If approaches, a WAAS IFR navigator allows destination and alternate to be GPS based approaches. That is an up front expensive decision vs. "just" a VOR/ILS.
Autopilots are now no-brainers.
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RV-6, bought from builder.
O-320, slider, carb, mags, FP
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07-29-2018, 01:48 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyinhood
Hey Brad,
Do you have a pic of your RV panel? I am in the process of updating mine.
Thx
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Yes, there's a picture of it in my plane's thread over in the Virtual Hangar section:
link
__________________
Brad Benson, Maplewood MN.
RV-6A N164BL, Flying since Nov 2012!
If you're not making mistakes, you're probably not making anything
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07-29-2018, 04:47 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: 52F
Posts: 187
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Very very nice panel.
__________________
46 Luscombe 8a Rag Wing, Armstrong starter
RV-6, IO-320, Catto, G3X Panel (Thanks Walt!)
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07-29-2018, 05:25 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyinhood
Very very nice panel.
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Thanks! Lots of the credit goes to Laird Owens though who made/sold the fiberglass panel. I then cut the insets for the instruments, radio stack, and engine cluster myself from the .062 aluminum supplied for the factory panel. It's worked great so far, and the combination of the Dynon Skyview, Dynon Autopilot, and Avidyne IFD540 provides more functionality than the regional jets I'm training for now...by a fair margin :-)
__________________
Brad Benson, Maplewood MN.
RV-6A N164BL, Flying since Nov 2012!
If you're not making mistakes, you're probably not making anything
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