VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-8/8A
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #31  
Old 12-11-2013, 05:36 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Of course...

A RV-8 for cross-countries? Wasn't one just recently flown from Oregon to England?....without long range tanks!

Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 12-11-2013, 07:51 AM
Louise Hose's Avatar
Louise Hose Louise Hose is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Nevada --- A34
Posts: 1,464
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pierre smith View Post
A RV-8 for cross-countries? Wasn't one just recently flown from Oregon to England?....without long range tanks!

Best,
There certainly wasn't a spouse in the backseat, though!

No question that a properly equipped -8 (like all RVs, including the -3) is a fine solo xc machine.
__________________
Louise Hose, Editor of The Homebuilder's Portal by KITPLANES
RV3B, NX13PL "Tsamsiyu" co-builder, TMXIO-320, test platform Legacy G3X/TruTrak avionics suite
RV-6 ?Mikey? (purchased flying) ? Garmin test platform (G3X Touch, GS28 autopilot servos, GTN650 GPS/Nav/Comm,
GNC255 Nav/Com, GA240 audio panel)
RV8, N188PD "Valkyrie" (by marriage)
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 12-11-2013, 08:53 AM
OLDSAM OLDSAM is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tucker GA
Posts: 190
Default It's the view

In deciding between the 7 and 8 several years ago, I thought about how I would like to ride in the back seat of an 8 for long trips. Since one of the primary joys of flying oneself, for me at least, is to be able to see forward, or as I describe airline flying, seeing where you almost went instead of where you are going. For me, it's all about the view, and I would not like riding in the back of a tandem arrangement for long periods. Besides, my wife is a white-knuckle flier, only flies with me if I am taking her somewhere she really wants to go, such as to see the Grandkids. She also feels more comfortable beside me, so those two factors made me choose the 7.
__________________
OldSam
RV7A, Empennage, Wings & Tanks complete
Fuse under way
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 12-12-2013, 06:32 PM
PilotAlan PilotAlan is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 7
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by N15JB View Post
I would be happy to give you a ride in my-10 if you want to check out that model. Based at KAPA. Don't bring your wife, unless you are prepared to go down that road.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
Heed this warning, it is serious.
As I keep telling my wife, I'm not as stupid as I look.....

I would love a -10, after I sell the house, cash out my 401k, etc.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 12-12-2013, 06:35 PM
PilotAlan PilotAlan is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 7
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OLDSAM View Post
... one of the primary joys of flying oneself, for me at least, is to be able to see forward, or as I describe airline flying, seeing where you almost went instead of where you are going.
My wife is very short, and cannot see over the panel.

She would actually have a much better view with the bubble canopy than she has now. She would probably have a better forward view even around my head than she has now.
We'll see when I get her a ride in an -8
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 12-12-2013, 07:29 PM
Toobuilder's Avatar
Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
Default

If she's short, then she will appreciate the room offered by the -8 even more. A custom seat pad which gets her head up higher offers not only a great view but more leg room than she can use. My wife is 5-1 and with a thick seat pad, she can't even come close to touching the rear rudder pedals in the -8 or the Rocket.

...Which is why I took them out.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 12-12-2013, 07:56 PM
DanH's Avatar
DanH DanH is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
Default

Good point about the cushion. I have a 2" thick styrofoam block cut in the shadow shape of the seat bottom. It's covered with one ply of glass fabric and painted. I slip it under the rear seat cushion before boarding smaller passengers. Being able to easily see over the canopy sills really improves their flight experience.
__________________
Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 12-12-2013, 08:51 PM
gear1 gear1 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pagosa Springs CO
Posts: 243
Default RV8 rear seat comfort

Alan,

Before Marcie (my wife) and I bought an RV8, we persuaded Jay Pratt (FT Worth) to provide a ride for both of us in his RV8 "Borrowed Horse." A few thoughts:

1. The rear seat visibility is great if the seat cushion provides adequate elevation. Marcie is about 5', and Oregon Aero built a custom "kiddy seat" for her that brings her head within 2" of the canopy. Thus she has a great view. She is even taking a "Pinch Hitter" course, and has successfully landed from the rear seat. (Plug: Dave Austin of Denton, TX is the best instructor I have met. both for transition and "Pinch Hitter" training).

2. The RV8 has enough baggage space to take anything that you might want to take on the airlines. The only disadvantage is that the baggage cannot be reached in flight. But there is, as posted above, plenty of space in the rear cockpit for anything that might be wanted in flight.

3. Provide your wife with a Gerber electrically heated jacket (or vest) and socks. She'll be warm and toasty, even on the coldest winter day.

4. Above all, get both of you a ride in an RV8. We are located in Pagosa Springs, CO, so if you might be in the area I would be pleased to offer you both a ride. Perhaps Marcie and I could make it an excuse to visit Denver for lunch, if you are interested.
__________________
Craig Taylor
RV8 flying
2020 VAF dues paid with thanks
Navy A7E Vietnam era
Ret. Corporate Pilot: G1159, IA Jet, Jetstar, Falcon 10, 20, 50
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 12-13-2013, 06:15 AM
PilotAlan PilotAlan is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 7
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gear1 View Post
We are located in Pagosa Springs, CO, so if you might be in the area I would be pleased to offer you both a ride. Perhaps Marcie and I could make it an excuse to visit Denver for lunch, if you are interested.
I *will* take you up on that. We have to dig out from 3 weeks of vacation and get past the holidays, but we'd love to come down.
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 01-09-2014, 10:42 AM
Danny King's Avatar
Danny King Danny King is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southlake, Texas
Posts: 626
Default XC in the RV-8

With the exception of the round the world pilots, Marthajane and I have logged some of the longest RV-8 cross country flights in the Doll. I have made several nonstop flight between OSH and 52F in the 4:45 range and one that exceeded 5:00. I can't imagine doing that in a 6,7 or 9.

Louise is a pilot and aircraft owner, and understandably is happier in the front seat in all three RVs they own. I would guess any builder with a spouse that is a pilot, the question of tandem vs. side by side will be more complicated.

Van now offers the RV-14 to correct the problem of big guys sitting in a cramped RV-6.7 or 9. That is why that airplane exist. I've flown with DR as safety observer while he flew under the hood, and found that an hour in the 6 is long enough for me. I hope DR didn't mind my left arm around him in my attempt to manage our combined shoulder space.

This always comes down to mission and personal preference. If your wife is not a pilot, and you really want to own an RV-8, then consider the fact that you will most likely be flying your 8 by yourself 90% of the time. Because of this fact, I always advise the selection of the RV that the pilot really wants to own.

If you really want an RV-8 and your wife is a pilot, and can share the front seat pilot duties like Paul and Louise, than you should build/buy the RV your really want.

If what you really want is an RV-6.7 or 9, then that is the RV you should own.
__________________
Danny King
Beautiful Doll 80434 TT 1675 hours
I0360 A1B6 200 HP
Christen Inverted Oil
First Flight 12 July 2000
VAF Dues current for 2020
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:21 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.