Tri or tail?

[Steve Barnes]

I recently purchased an RV6 kit from a friend at a reasonable enough price to build and sell. The fuselage is nearly done and the wings are nearly done. It was built as a tail dragger. As far as saleability is concerned, would it be better to modify as an A, or just complete as is? Number two idea is to purchase a 7 vert. stab. so it looks more modern. I have noticed that in recent years there is a dwindeling supply of new tail wheel pilots, so thats the reason I'm considering changing to an A.

[CODon]

There is enough to complete without the complications of the change. Not intended to enter the tail vs nose dragger thing.

[L.Adamson]

I have a 6A with the "old tail"; which a member of the forum calls a "classic tail". I think that's a good description, and I like the looks of it! Other than that, I'd leave it as a six tail dragger. I don't think it's worth the effort to change.

L.Adamson

[Steve Barnes]

You may have saved me time and money. One less wheel pant to build too.

[Kanfly]

I converted a flying 6 to a 6a. It took 6 months of no flying and the $s but it was well worth it. I would pay $10,000 more for a 6a.

[roadrunner20]

I would keep it as a 6.
I'm considering going 7A to 7, especially after the SB.

[N941WR]

Leave it...

It all depends on the buyer. Some want a NW and others a TW, it all comes down to what your customer wants.

[mannanj]

Originally Posted by Kanfly

I converted a flying 6 to a 6a. It took 6 months of no flying and the $s but it was well worth it. I would pay $10,000 more for a 6a.

Personally:

I would spend $2-3,000.00 getting an extensive tail wheel checkout another couple of thou. on an expensive present for my wife and the other 5 thou. on a good autopilot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMNSHO (In My Not So Humble Opinion If you cannot consistantly land a tail wheel plane in a moderate to severe crosswind, you will eventially bend an A model Vans aircraft.

The techniques are different, but are easily learned. We just had a Cessna go off the runway at my local airport because the pilot "wheel barrowed" the plane onto the nose wheel by trying to force the plane on the ground with the yoke while trying to land in a crosswind. When the nose wheel is on the runway and the mains are off---there is little to no directional control.

The guy probably has over 2000 hrs total time but just forgot about full stall landings and forced the Cessna onto the runway.

Learn the techniques of landing a tailgragger and you'll never have to worry about landing with the aux. wheel up front again.

Nomex suit on standby!

[Steve Barnes]

I have almost 3000 hrs in TW aircraft. I'm only interested the saleability of tri vs TW. I'd just as soon build a TW, because its easier. I just don't know how many buyers out there are qualified or are willing to get qualified as a TW pilot.

[gasman]

Leave the stock vert. stab. It is a classic, and fits with the the rest of the airframe.

Van will only fly nose wheel aircraft to air shows.......... Ask him why?.........