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  #1  
Old 06-09-2013, 02:39 PM
Falcontech Falcontech is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Big Bear CA
Posts: 17
Default RV-6 as LSA?

Recently I have noticed an RV6 for sale in Ohio that is claimed to be a Light Sport Aircraft.

Is this plausible/possible, or is it advertising ignorance (BS).

I am building an RV6a, and I am having some eye related medical issues that are currently unresolved. Flying my aircraft with a Sport Aircraft License may be the only way that I can ever fly it.

Everything on VAF concerning LSA aircraft is a discussion of the RV12.
  #2  
Old 06-09-2013, 02:43 PM
Mel's Avatar
Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
Default

There is no practical way an RV-6 can be flown as a Light Sport Aircraft!
Max speed too high.
Stall speed too high.
Gross weight too high.
If you want to go LSA, RV-12 is the only RV answer!
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
  #3  
Old 06-09-2013, 07:17 PM
6 Gun 6 Gun is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 846
Default LSA

Seen an RV6 at Sebring Fly-In that was reg. as a LSA it is possible.I ask about it and the builder said the prop was pitched to limit top speed and it meet the wieght requirement.I belive the guys name is Jay at Lakeland South airport in Lakeland Fl.
Bob
  #4  
Old 06-09-2013, 07:29 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
Default

I would be very skeptical of an RV-6 with a "clean" stall speed below 45 kts.

Ask Van what he thinks!
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>

Last edited by Mel : 06-09-2013 at 07:31 PM.
  #5  
Old 06-09-2013, 07:51 PM
Squeak Squeak is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 270
Default

I have flown the some $160,000 LSA?s and they don?t clean stall speed below 45 kts. Build it how you want it. It?s Experimental you are the builder..
  #6  
Old 06-09-2013, 08:01 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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Location: Dallas area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Squeak View Post
I have flown the some $160,000 LSA?s and they don?t clean stall speed below 45 kts. Build it how you want it. It?s Experimental you are the builder..
That's all well and good, but it doesn't make it legal for a sport pilot.

And just as a side note, if it is certificated as LSA and doesn't meet the requirements, then the airworthiness certificate is invalid.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
  #7  
Old 06-09-2013, 08:14 PM
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AirShowFan AirShowFan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 119
Default

Most RV-6s weigh almost 1100 pounds empty (or more). Most pilots weigh almost 200 (or more). That doesn't leave a whole lot of weight for fuel if the total weight can't exceed 1320...

A reduction in weight from 1600 to 1320 is about 21% less weight. A reduction in stall speed from 55 to 45 is about 20% less speed. Of course, it's not linear: 81% of the speed gives you 67% of the lift (dynamic pressure is ρv?...), but with VGs and drooping ailerons and wingtip extensions and such, maybe it's possible to get that up to 80% of the lift.

I guess a lighter engine would give you a few more pounds of payload, and would help you stay below the 120-knot max continuous speed. Not sure whether the CG would get too far aft, though...

So while it's theoretically possible, it's pretty impractical. You'd never be able to take up a passenger and stay below 1320 lbs in an airplane that weighs over 1000 lbs empty. And remember that an LSA must have those restrictions since it was first ceritfied: You can't just say "Oh, I'll fly this airplane below 1320 lbs, and put a placard by the tachometer that says: No continuous operation beyond 2100 RPM" if the airplane was originally certified without these restrictions. If an airplane was ever allowed to fly above the LSA maxima, then it can't be flown as an LSA. At least, that's my understanding.
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Bernardo a.k.a. AirShowFan
Boeing airplane configurator and 3D-printing expert, airplane design teacher and lecturer,
and occasional aviation photographer / airshow photojournalist / aerobatic pilot.
RV-6A N611RV bought from the builder, thoroughly enjoyed, and then sold.
RV-6 N130BN bought from the builder, thoroughly enjoyed, and then sold.
  #8  
Old 06-09-2013, 08:20 PM
Squeak Squeak is offline
 
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Location: Indiana
Posts: 270
Default

I don?t want to get into a LSA ruling contest just saying there?s some certificated as LSA that do not meet all the LSA rules also. So if I can build my own Experimental Aircraft with US Made Engine and aluminum parts and kept it lite to meet the LSA rules than why not.
  #9  
Old 06-09-2013, 08:31 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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Posts: 10,768
Default Don't mess up a good thing!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Squeak View Post
I don?t want to get into a LSA ruling contest
There's no "ruling contest". It's all in the regulations.

And the regulations specifically state that if the aircraft does not meet the requirements of the certificate, the airworthiness certificate is invalid.

The more people "push" the regs, the tighter the regs will get.
We have the best regulations for flying experimental aircraft in the world.
Why are there always people wanting to mess up a good thing?
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
  #10  
Old 06-09-2013, 09:16 PM
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Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 2,182
Default

As the owner of an RV-6, I also cannot see how this plane can meet the LSA specs. Even when I throttle back to 2000 rpm, the cruise speed is still way too high, and the stall speeds are way too high as well.
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Neal Howard
Airplaneless once again...
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