Prior flying life - Page 3

Capt · #21 03-23-2019, 10:43 PM

I'm bias cause I own an 8 but there's really only two things to consider, looks and mission. I sold the wife many years ago (smartest thing I ever did!) so no contest, tandem seating is the way to go as you feel you are one with the machine, much roomier too. The only advantage I found with a 6/7 was the large accesable luggage area behind the seat, that's all that I wish I had sometimes in my 8

I would loved to have flown military but was never meant to be, the closest thing for me is the Lear's I've flown over the years

RhinoDrvr · #22 03-24-2019, 01:12 AM

Perhaps a bit OT: but has anybody put a VA-176 A-1 Skyraider paint job on an RV-8? I was thinking the other day that might be pretty snazzy, but I can?t tell if it wouldn?t look as good without a giant exhaust smear down the side

sailvi767 · #23 03-24-2019, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt

I'm bias cause I own an 8 but there's really only two things to consider, looks and mission. I sold the wife many years ago (smartest thing I ever did!) so no contest, tandem seating is the way to go as you feel you are one with the machine, much roomier too. The only advantage I found with a 6/7 was the large accesable luggage area behind the seat, that's all that I wish I had sometimes in my 8

I would loved to have flown military but was never meant to be, the closest thing for me is the Lear's I've flown over the years

You?re very fortunate that you were able to sell the wife. I have several friends who ended up having to buy out the remainder of the contract and it gets expensive!

HackerF15E · #24 03-24-2019, 07:05 AM

Retired F-15E and T-38s here, and the performance of the 8 is definitely part of the attraction.

As is how it looks on the ramp!

Intruder · #25 03-24-2019, 09:29 PM

I was Marine A-6 B/N who wanted A-6s, not F-4s, because I wanted to look out the front window. When it came to deciding between a 7 or 8, I thought about that regarding my wife. She said to get what you want as most of my flying would be without her. I ordered the 8A and two years later I finally got my demo ride at the factory. After we landed, the demo pilot took her up. I was praying she liked it as I had a lot of $$$ tied up in it at that point. The first thing she after landing was, "Hurry up and get it done". She liked having her own space, not bumping into me and having the higher canopy rails where she didn't feel like she might fall out a door like a in Cessna or Piper. Unfortunately she's had many medical issues since which have really slowed the build, but it will get done.

neck101 · #26 03-24-2019, 10:05 PM

Semper Fi from a fellow Marine. Thanks for your reply. I have several friends who also flew the Intruder for the Corps. Sorry to hear about your wife...I hope she gets better soon.
And thanks for your service in the FBI. I'll bet you have some interesting thoughts on the **** that the FBI leadership has been committing.
Neck

Capt · #27 03-25-2019, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailvi767

You?re very fortunate that you were able to sell the wife. I have several friends who ended up having to buy out the remainder of the contract and it gets expensive!

Actually 'selling' the wife was somewhat tongue in cheek, I too had to pay, twice actually! But even though I've made mistakes and bad choices when it comes to the fairer sex I've not been like that when it came to chosing an aircraft, the RV8 (conventional U/C only) is by far the best love of my life hands down!

Mankind dreamt of flight all those years ago, we here just continue that dream thru one mans design

Adrian Bonwitt · #28 03-25-2019, 01:01 PM

Flying an -8 just feels right....it's fast, it's agile and you are in your own space..

But for family and passengers..on the whole..they prefer side by side and a nose wheel.

My wife and older kids far prefer the -10 to travel in. It's much better in strong cross winds and you can take it flying in all weathers...within reason. That means when you take it away, you know you will get back home..

Hope that helps..

ex Tornado GR1..

Pete G · #29 03-25-2019, 07:35 PM

Wanted an -8, traded my Maule for a -6 instead. No regrets, love my -6. Light handling and nimbleness reminds me of the TA-4J. Mine was set up to fly from the right seat, I like that, being right handed. 160 KTAS @ 7.3 gph. Very pleasant, easy aerobatics. Most enjoyable aircraft I've ever flown. Flew Phantoms and Harriers. Don't limit your thinking to one model.

JonJay · #30 03-25-2019, 08:32 PM

I don?t rate, but this hack has no problems going from tandem left lever throttle to side by side right hand knob. No issues. Many times I have flown both same day. Not a second thought. It is really a non-issue and I don?t think I am anything special.
I must say, when I am flying along in the Bucker, and see a train, it must be destroyed. I don?t get those same urges in the 6.