RV-7/7a vs. Citabria/Decathalon - Page 3

SMO · #21 09-16-2014, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Pichon

How does your F1 EVO compare to the RV-4...a tinny sports car or a pickup truck? I love that EVO wing....

Still getting used to the F1, 30+ hours and no acro yet, but as for a comparison I would say while the RV-4 felt light and somewhat fragile to me, the Rocket feels (and is by 30%) heavier and more substantial than the -4. While the weights are similar you really can't compare the Rocket to the Decathlon though.

There is no substitute for power

.

wjb · #22 09-16-2014, 09:30 PM

Just to pile on here a bit ... I did my tailwheel checkout in a 7ECA Citabria and still fly 7ECAs and 8KCABs (super D). Great planes, and way more fun than the PA28's I learned in.

Until, I got the taste of a -7. Wow. So responsive, so easy to fly, so comfortable and confident I felt. Did acro moves that I learned in the Super D with minimal effort. Doing a wingover was sublime.

I'm biding my time in the Citabrias, until the -7 gets launched.

They are great planes, both. However, an RV is the holy grail.

'nuff said

bkcauley · #23 09-17-2014, 09:58 AM

Thanks guys, hopefully this weekend I will be able to ride in a -8. I know with tandem seating it will be different but it might help the decision. Come to find out this gentleman actually wants to use my warrior for some family time. This might work out real well.

gtmule · #24 09-17-2014, 11:17 AM

http://www.thomasvilleflyin.com/

I know there will be some side by side RV's in Thomasville for that, hopefully I'll be one of 'em.

bkcauley · #25 09-17-2014, 12:20 PM

Oh yea. We ALWAYS have a good turn out for that.

bkcauley · #26 09-17-2014, 01:28 PM

Gtmule I've tried to message you, but I'm having issues on mobile. I'm not that far from you. If you have time I would like to bring my wife up and see your plane. If possible could you message me your number.

RhinoDrvr · #27 09-18-2014, 01:53 AM

Make sure you get a ride in the type you're looking at as well. A quick fit check revealed that I need to spring for an -8, as 6'3" / 210 lbs didn't fit too well in the -4 I sat in. The Super D has stupid amounts of headroom.

bkcauley · #28 09-18-2014, 06:00 AM

Im 5'-9/10 and 165. My wife is 5'3/4 ish and about 130 think we are fine for a 7? My son is 3 so we have a while to worry about him.

DaleB · #29 09-18-2014, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkcauley

Im 5'-9/10 and 165. My wife is 5'3/4 ish and about 130 think we are fine for a 7? My son is 3 so we have a while to worry about him.

Pfft. I'm 5-11 and have a hundred pounds on you. The guy I flew with was an inch or so shorter and not as Churchill-esque as me, but not skinny either. We weren;t cramped, the 7 was substantially roomier than the 172 I was used to. You guys will have elbow room to spare.

That said, as I build I'm trying to lose another 60-70 pounds.

Just so I don't bend anything getting in and out, you know.

Boyd Birchler · #30 11-25-2014, 07:03 AM

The Citabria is a good bush plane and an awful aerobatic plane.It does not do sustained inverted. Even with the inverted systems when solo and full fuel it is descending while inverted with full forward stick.

The Decathlon is a delightful aerobatic plane(it has a different airfoil than the Citabria and is much stronger), marginal bush plane,and serviceable X/C plane.

The RV 3 and RV 8 (the only ones I have done acro in) have very nice roll rates and are quite capable of recreational aerobatics, they are not as strong or as rugged as a Decathlon. They can get way out of hand speed wise if a maneuver is botched and at that point you would wish you were in a stronger airframe like the Decathlon or a Pitts or Eagle.