Hi All
I think I am finally (after years of looking, watching and probably not enough learning), ready to commit to an RV. It will probably be a 4 as I have been talking to some sellers (in Canada). But I have some questions that I hoped could get some brief answers. Don't worry about too much detail. Save the typing for when I really own one and then will need you to hold my hand.
One, an older model (mid 80's) has no lights, electric trim or fuel primer.
Lights....I would really like to have lights on whatever one I get, not that I am going to venture off in the dark, but it does extend the flying day if necessary. I have looked at the FlyLED's stuff a bit. Looks good but are other options available? Will I need to change wing tips or are kits available for most tips. I am thinking there are only a few types of tips..?
Electric trim....one had a manual trim, which is fine for flying but if I wanted to add an autopilot ie Garmin GMC 507, is it hard to modify an older 4 in this way? I wonder what the weight differential would be. The control head would be light as the servo. Removing the trim linkage would remove weight so I would suspect a negligible weight change...? Or am I wrong in that reasoning?
Fuel Primer.....one had no fuel primer pump. O360 engine. Primer recommended? It has been flying for a long time without one but it seems from my limited research, a primer pump is common.
Props.....Most RV4's I have seen have wooden props. Is the reason for that cost or are there other reasons? I would feel better with aluminum but probably mostly cause all of my certified planes have had metal props.
Rear rudder pedals.....I few I have looked at over the years have no rear rudder pedals. But some do. Are they hard to add to a built aircraft? I will be a relatively low time tail wheel flyer and totally new to aerobatics so it would be nice to have the security of a back seat pilot with rudder control. Or are they just generally in the way due to the small area in which they would go?
I think that is enough questions for now. Answers will give me lots to think about and to do further research as I continue my search for an RV4 (or 8) I am looking forward to being part of the RV community, albeit I am not a builder.
Thanks
Cheers,
Shawn
I think I am finally (after years of looking, watching and probably not enough learning), ready to commit to an RV. It will probably be a 4 as I have been talking to some sellers (in Canada). But I have some questions that I hoped could get some brief answers. Don't worry about too much detail. Save the typing for when I really own one and then will need you to hold my hand.
One, an older model (mid 80's) has no lights, electric trim or fuel primer.
Lights....I would really like to have lights on whatever one I get, not that I am going to venture off in the dark, but it does extend the flying day if necessary. I have looked at the FlyLED's stuff a bit. Looks good but are other options available? Will I need to change wing tips or are kits available for most tips. I am thinking there are only a few types of tips..?
Electric trim....one had a manual trim, which is fine for flying but if I wanted to add an autopilot ie Garmin GMC 507, is it hard to modify an older 4 in this way? I wonder what the weight differential would be. The control head would be light as the servo. Removing the trim linkage would remove weight so I would suspect a negligible weight change...? Or am I wrong in that reasoning?
Fuel Primer.....one had no fuel primer pump. O360 engine. Primer recommended? It has been flying for a long time without one but it seems from my limited research, a primer pump is common.
Props.....Most RV4's I have seen have wooden props. Is the reason for that cost or are there other reasons? I would feel better with aluminum but probably mostly cause all of my certified planes have had metal props.
Rear rudder pedals.....I few I have looked at over the years have no rear rudder pedals. But some do. Are they hard to add to a built aircraft? I will be a relatively low time tail wheel flyer and totally new to aerobatics so it would be nice to have the security of a back seat pilot with rudder control. Or are they just generally in the way due to the small area in which they would go?
I think that is enough questions for now. Answers will give me lots to think about and to do further research as I continue my search for an RV4 (or 8) I am looking forward to being part of the RV community, albeit I am not a builder.
Thanks
Cheers,
Shawn
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