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  #1  
Old 11-23-2013, 12:44 PM
Toobuilder's Avatar
Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
Default Power Corrupts...

No, this is not a political thread.

The RV has been a bit neglected since the Rocket joined the stable, so today's chores included exercising the airplanes a bit. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to fly the Rocket and RV back to back. What an eye opener. While the Rocket does not seem all that incredible any longer, the RV seems downright slow. Even with min fuel, a cold day and solo, this 200 HP RV felt like it could hardly get out of its own way - almost toy like.

I guess I'm going to have to win the lotto for my next airplane...

What have I done?!
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WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

Michael Robinson
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Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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  #2  
Old 11-23-2013, 01:04 PM
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RONSIM RONSIM is offline
 
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Location: Largo, FL
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Default And I thought I was burning up the sky

with my 169 KTAS RV-6A this morning! Wow, that Rocket must be fast to put to shame a 200HP RV-8!
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  #3  
Old 11-23-2013, 04:34 PM
Acrophil Acrophil is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: GA
Posts: 50
Default It's all what you get used to ......

Having flown an Extra 300 for years ( also a Sukhoi 26 interavia SP-95, and a Pitts Model 12) I can tell you that a Rocket just doesn't compare well. The Extra is fast, has a real symmetrical wing, has a 400 degree roll rate, a plus and minus 10G load rating and has never had a structural in flight failure. It has room for two and plenty of ramp appeal. The Rocket is a great airplane but has compromises in all those areas. You can buy a mid wing 300 for the same or less than the price of a Rocket so it is probably the best value for a fun ride on the planet!

Having said all that, I would thoroughly enjoy a Rocket for what it is! Just as I enjoy the RV-7A that I currently have. Most every airplane I have flown, I have enjoyed (maybe that old musketeer not so much). Just what you get used to ......

Not looking to stir a hornets nest
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  #4  
Old 11-23-2013, 05:37 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Acrophil View Post
Having flown an Extra 300 for years ( also a Sukhoi 26 interavia SP-95, and a Pitts Model 12) I can tell you that a Rocket just doesn't compare well. The Extra is fast, has a real symmetrical wing, has a 400 degree roll rate, a plus and minus 10G load rating and has never had a structural in flight failure. It has room for two and plenty of ramp appeal. The Rocket is a great airplane but has compromises in all those areas. You can buy a mid wing 300 for the same or less than the price of a Rocket so it is probably the best value for a fun ride on the planet!

Having said all that, I would thoroughly enjoy a Rocket for what it is! Just as I enjoy the RV-7A that I currently have. Most every airplane I have flown, I have enjoyed (maybe that old musketeer not so much). Just what you get used to ......

Not looking to stir a hornets nest
I don't doubt any of what you are saying, but in all fairness, no one can build an Extra, piece meal as they can afford it. And since you have to go out an buy a finished one, I bet it would require quite a bit more extra cash compared to the Rocket.
Edit: just did a quick search... looks like an extra would set you back at least double, and in some instances triple what building/buying a Rocket would.
Not as fair of a comparison as the Rocket to an RV IMHO.
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  #5  
Old 11-23-2013, 06:31 PM
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Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Acrophil View Post
Having flown an Extra 300 for years ( also a Sukhoi 26 interavia SP-95, and a Pitts Model 12) I can tell you that a Rocket just doesn't compare well...
In all fairness, the Extra and Rocket are completely different machines. The Extra is a hard core acro machine, the Rocket is a home brewed hot rod. The airborne equivalent of a 454 Big block in a Chevy Vega... Heck, my Hiperbipe would rip the lungs out of any Rocket (or RV) in a turning dogfight. But that's not the point.

As for speed, I'm pretty sure a Rocket will run away and hide from the Extra in cruise. That fat wing just hits a wall. And this is why the 330LT has a semi- symmetrical wing - to eke a little better cruise speed out of it.

Finally, tell me where to get a Extra 300 with less than 60 hours on the clock for less than $100k, and I'm all ears.

But you are right that it's all a matter of perspective.
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WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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  #6  
Old 11-23-2013, 07:20 PM
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vlittle vlittle is offline
 
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Location: Victoria, Canada
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We love Rockets at VAF.

Just for comparison, I have run fuel efficiency tests and I get about 22 mpg at 170 KTAS, which is comparable to my RV-9A at 160 KTAS. Therefore, the Rocket is the environmentally responsible choice :-)
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  #7  
Old 11-23-2013, 07:52 PM
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Eddie P Eddie P is offline
 
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Location: Aptos, CA (previously Reno, 21 years!)
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toobuilder View Post
What have I done?!
OK, you talked me into it. You can park your RV-8 up north and I'll keep her well fed for you! I'll fly her down twice a month so you can pass me, out turn and out climb me too in ACM, and I won't even complain. It's the least I can do.
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  #8  
Old 11-23-2013, 07:54 PM
Acrophil Acrophil is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: GA
Posts: 50
Default May have one more hot rod!

Couldn't agree more about hard core acro versus
Hot Rod but i used mine for both activities if i just
wanted to sport fly. Cruised at about 170 knots on 13 gallons.
Would go a little faster but you are right it ran into a wall. Good
thing on a vertical down line! You can buy a straight 300 mid wing
for $150 - $170k. ( not an L model) That seems like not a bunch more
$'s than a Rocket.
Anyway, i will probably have one more of one of them before i
have to go light sport! Yes i know they r great also...
More time, more $'s, more fun!!
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  #9  
Old 11-23-2013, 08:20 PM
RV-4 RV-4 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: St-Jerome,Quebec,Canada
Posts: 1,125
Thumbs up EXTRA VS ROCKET

Well if you guys wanna have a look..

Here's a video posted by Simon Drouin on Youtube.( He 's on VAF from time to time )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu_2ChkPESQ

He owns both an Extra & a Rocket ( since sold ) The other pilot on his wing is Michel Cliche AC B-767 pilot and former Snowbirbs lead solo. So station keeping is not really a problem ..

Michel told me that he had to asked Simon a few times on the back side of the loop to reduce power as the Rocket was running away from him...

Enjoy

Bruno
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  #10  
Old 11-23-2013, 09:45 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Location: Dayton, NV
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Default

Hey Mike - I know what you mean!

I have been saying this every since Tsam was finished - don't go fly a -3 unless you are ready to commit to building or buying because it will ruin you for anything else! When I get back in my beloved -8 after goign for a romp in Tsam, I feel like I am driving a truck (a nice truck, for sure - but still a truck....).
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RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
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