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  #11  
Old 07-16-2012, 02:02 PM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
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Marius,

I was in the same place you are until I decided in Feb to go with the -9a. I do have concerns with the medical issues and that almost moved me to the 12. In the end, the power and ceiling were what convinced me to go with the 9. I live in Colorado and a quick trip to Denver calls for 14,500'. The closest airport is 6100' and the next is just under 8000'.

Considering building, I believe the 12 is easier and quicker to build. The pulled rivets are faster and my understanding is the holes are drilled and reamed already. After looking at the instructions and plans, it appears to be easier to follow than those on the 9.

Bottom line in my opinion is both are very nice planes and pretty close to the same price. If getting a medical is an issue, the 12 is the way to go. Changes in the medical requirements may be coming so maybe that will change. The 12 has the possibility of saving you money if you want to remove the wings and store on a trailer. I don't think many do that, but it could save quite a bit each month. The 9 is quite a bit faster and can be flown slower to save fuel to probably close to the same as the 12.

For me it came down to mission - I want a cross country plane that is reasonably quick. I can fly slow or fast and climb to get over the mountains around here. Good luck and take a flight in both. Either will be a winner.
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Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
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  #12  
Old 07-16-2012, 02:08 PM
yankee-flyer yankee-flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 838
Smile I'm an Aero Too, Marius

And I had zero metal-working experience before starting my RV-12. Doesn't make any difference-- nothing in your college degree applies much here unless your specialty was structures, and then you can't change anything anyway. I watched another pilot spend 6 years on his Quick-Build -7A kit but with a part-time helper I built 3WM in 14 months /1000 hours. Not having to drill/dimple/de-burr too many of the river holes really speeds up construction as does the "plug-n-Play avionics. Once you have the airworthiness certificate you can do anything that doesn't take the airplane out of LSA specs; I added "steam" altimeter, airspeed and ball to the panel, end covers for the stab, etc.

You'll find the -12 flies a lot different from anything you've trained in-- transition training is HIGHLY recommended.

Wayne 120241/143WM
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  #13  
Old 07-16-2012, 03:50 PM
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Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
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This "game changer" thread is interesting reading for those considering which plane to build. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=68034
Note that there are more than 550 RV-12 kits in construction and in April 2012 mine was the 156th flying (the first E-LSA Skyview mod version to fly). There has been a significant backlog of stalled builders "waiting for Skyview" but that was resolved in 1Q12 and the dam is bursting! New -12s appear to be finishing up about one a week based on posts here - maybe more.
Bill H. N412BR "Sweetie"
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  #14  
Old 07-16-2012, 09:22 PM
Marius Marius is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 5
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Thank you very much everyone for the useful information. One remaining question for RV-12 pilots: how do you deal with the limited availability of mogas on a cross-country ? Do you fuel your plane with avgas exclusively, do you mix avgas and mogas depending on what's available, or do you limit your fuel stops to airports where mogas is available ?

Thanks again,
Marius
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  #15  
Old 07-17-2012, 04:06 AM
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Jetguy Jetguy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas, Fort Worth
Posts: 1,237
Talking Mix it baby!

Get a fuel set up for your hanger. Mix 50/50 when away from home base.

Flying 800 nm to OSH using no 100ll.
See this web link for a listing of mogas airports.
http://www.flyunleaded.com/mapusairports.html
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RV12 N1212K
Flying Since June 2010
1020 Hours as of 9/30/2017
Johnrv12@icloud.com
RV14 Wing, arrived and building at Rdog's new Hanger at 16X
S/N 140014

Last edited by Jetguy : 07-17-2012 at 02:44 PM.
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  #16  
Old 07-17-2012, 08:41 AM
yankee-flyer yankee-flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 838
Smile Pump for hangar

I use a Flow-Fast 15-gallon tank with a hand-crank pump and have 3 5-rallon cans for refilling the pump. If I'm going to re-fuel off airport (very rare since I just fly for fun) I carry a can of Decalin fuel additive-- safer in the airplane than TCP.

Wayne 120241/143WM
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  #17  
Old 07-17-2012, 09:33 PM
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RVTrumpet RVTrumpet is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 63
Default Music in the 12

There is an mp3 line-in adapter jack between the seats that comes with the standard avionics package.
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NOTE: The information, ideas, and opinions presented in this post are my own and not those of my employer. Build, test, and fly at your own risk.
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