Quote:
Originally Posted by SkipperBJW
I am new to the site and forums and enjoying the heck out of all the good information.
I am looking to buy a RV-6A with a iO-360 and FP prop and noticed it's Empty Weight is 1,168.40 pounds and of course, Gross Weight at the factory listed 1650 pounds. This leaves only 481 pounds Useful Load. At 38 gallons fuel capacity that leaves about 253 pounds for the wife and me. With these numbers I would need to get a new wife or drop fuel.
What is a typical Empty Weight for an RV-6A?
Is the stated Empty Weight of 1168.4 a concern?
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Barry,
As mentioned above, that's pretty hefty for a 6A and a concern for me personally as to useful load. My advice? Gain an appreciation for the design by building your own RV or, keep looking. 1000lb EW for any 2 seat RV is a good goal for builders and buyers IMHO.
As a bona fide
Jurassic RV builder/pilot, my goal back in the early 90's for my RV4 (before paint and
acoutraments)

was 950lbs. It ended up tipping the scales at 925lbs and flew delightfully for 2000 hours on it's basic, VFR 0320/Catto prop airframe.
As mentioned, in the past few years RV's have become "accessory magnets" with every possible bell and whistle imaginable being bolted in or on the airframe. Case in point is the RV14, basically a giant size RV6 for big dudes to bolt on alot of unneeded junk IMHO.
That said, I currently fly an RV6 "X" hybrid I built from spare parts that recently tipped the scales at 957 lbs empty with paint, basic I-Pad panel and an 0-360/Catto prop. They can be kept light with a bit of effort.
The lighter they are the better they fly. (and the more you can carry.)
V/R
Smokey