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  #11  
Old 01-01-2009, 10:34 AM
DispatchDave DispatchDave is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Under KAFW 34R Approach, Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 17
Default

Hey Chris, I too am chomping at the bit a little. I currently have not gotten my PPL, although I would like to start building. My only drawback right now is a 2004 HD Road Glide for sale. The nice thing that comes to mind is I have something to do if there are scheduling conflicts. Thanks for the thread.
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  #12  
Old 01-01-2009, 11:09 AM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default Welcome to VAF!!!!

Dave, welcome to VAF.

First new member of '09, I'll bettcha
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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  #13  
Old 01-01-2009, 11:20 AM
DispatchDave DispatchDave is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Under KAFW 34R Approach, Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 17
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Thanks Mike. I thought I'd start the new year off on a right foot. for once.
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  #14  
Old 01-01-2009, 12:44 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DispatchDave View Post
Thanks Mike. I thought I'd start the new year off on a right foot. for once.
Yep, you sure did that.
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Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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  #15  
Old 01-03-2009, 05:14 PM
Cougar68 Cougar68 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Smyrna, TN
Posts: 7
Default

Was on my roof yesterday pulling down the Christmas lights with my son when I heard the sound of an approaching airplane. We bought our house in the flightline at MQY on purpose for just this kind of moment. Look up and what do I see? A bare aluminum RV-7 with a primer cowl zipping overhead. Looked good from the ground Chris!
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  #16  
Old 01-12-2009, 08:09 PM
kritsher kritsher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Stow MA
Posts: 174
Default So, what's the -7 like as a primary trainer?

Chris and all,

I am another guy who is putting the RV cart before the pilot horse. I'm working on my -7 wings right now. I've flown enough to know that I'm determined to get my ppl. I'm hoping to resume training before I finish the plane, but I may still be a student pilot or a low-time pilot by the time I get my ticket.

As I read your post, I'm wondering... what do you all think of the flying qualities of a -7 as a primary trainer? Am I better off training in a more docile aircraft and then transitioning, or is it better to learn things once on the plane that will be mine for a long time? What are the pros/cons of training on a plane like a -7 vs. something like a 172?

Appreciate your thoughts, even if it's just to reassure me that I'm not crazy to think that I could get my ticket in a -7.
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  #17  
Old 01-13-2009, 10:06 AM
bmbluhm bmbluhm is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: GI Nebraska
Posts: 6
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This can be done. I completed my 10 then got my medical (after triple bypass) and got my ppl. The first flight after my check ride was in the factory demo with Mike Seager for transition training. Now I have about 50 hours in 805HL. I didn't even notice the difference in speed from the 172, thats how new I am. But these RVs (at least my 10), is easy to fly and land and the best stress releaver ever invented. I only regret I didn't start building when I was 20.
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  #18  
Old 01-13-2009, 03:00 PM
mcjon77 mcjon77 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 101
Default

Were there any challenges with getting insurance for doing primary training in your RV? One insurance agent I spoke with told me it was very costly and in some cases almost impossible, but I would like to hear from you guys.
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Jon McDonald,
Was Building Sonex #1287
Probably starting an RV-14 project this summer.
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  #19  
Old 03-01-2009, 11:54 AM
ccarter's Avatar
ccarter ccarter is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 122
Default Primary Trainer and Insurance

As a primary trainer my RV-7 has provided a quality experience. I have right seat time in a Cherokee 6, C-152 and some DA-20 time. The later two are considerably more docile than my RV-7. I think one has to take a very honest and objective look at your own capabilities physically. Next, find experienced people who will tell you the truth about what is required to fly a sport aircraft like the RV's and if possible go up in one with an experienced pilot/CFI if possible. For me, the RV is not a handfull (I've heard some say before that it is, why I do not know.) but it is very light on the stick. It is also what I would call a slippery aircraft, meaning, it doesn't always "want" to slow down. My propensity is to come in too high and too hot in my 7. This is mostly due to inexperience. Consequently, I'm crossing the threshold at 70/75kts. That's Too fast. 65kts is about right, , (dp on winds), that way the flare is spongier. I litterally fly the plane with my left forearm resting on my left thigh and use just my wrist and a few fingers. After you build that muscle memory things get way better.

I've planned on owning an aircraft for well over a decade. Getting there was a matter of priorities and an act of will. Therefore, it was easy for me to make the decision to start building knowing I did not have a ppl yet. I planned my project carefully and then executed the timeline... which was about 2 years.

On the insurance issue, well there are some problems you just have to throw money at them unfortunately.
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Chris Carter, "Cyber"
RV-7, "WindDancer", MQY-Flying, 700+ hrs.
IO-360, Hartzell BA-CS, Dynon Skyview w/ ADS-B Traffic/Wx, 496, SL-30
fly.clcarter.com
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  #20  
Old 03-03-2009, 01:13 AM
Hawkeye7A's Avatar
Hawkeye7A Hawkeye7A is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SE AZ
Posts: 286
Default I started..

...in a C172 rental back in 2000. After about 13 hours stretched out over 4 months, the rental became unavailable, (long, dirty story) and after weighing all of the options, I determined that buying my own was cheaper than any of the alternatives. I bought a clean '59 C172, did my first solo in it, finished my training in it, passed my checkride it it and ultimately put about 850 hours on her. (I also had the pleasure of giving the new owner his first RV ride! Priceless!) When you have a plane available to you at all times, you will fly a lot more, the learning curve will go up exponentially and your progress will accelerate significantly! I started my -7A about 6 months after getting my PPL and it took 6 years to build. The thing I found similar to the two planes was simply: experience. If you fly the same plane all (or at least most) of the time, you will become one with your bird. The big thing with owning your own is that it is in exactly the same condition you last left it in. Lots of piece of mind in that. And, I figure it cost me about $50/hour to fly that Cessna even with payments, hangar rent, insurance, etc. The transistion to the -7A wasn't a big deal and the increased speed means I go a lot further on a day trip which I may not have even considered with the slow-poke 172. IMHO, the RVs are just fine for training as long as you expand your envelope slowly and realize that they are high-performance (FAA description notwithstanding) and respect the capability of the machine. Press on, and enjoy the ride. It's great!
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--Hawk Pierce
RV-7A Flying as of Sep 7, 2008
Phase One complete as of Nov 16, 2008
Finally painted!
600+ hours and lovin' every minute of it!
N728E
SE AZ

"I fly because it frees my mind from the tyranny of petty things."

--Antoine de Saint Exupery
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