RV-9A Experience in SW Florida

[Jwputnam]

I need some help. I live on Marco Island. I am 70. I have PP, INST, COMM, MULTI! but have not flown in 15 years. Have built FFR Cobra and Glen-L wooden boat in retirement, but now I have been bitten by the flying bug again hard out of the blue and want to build a plane. I ordered all of the info packs from Sonex, Zenith and Vans. I studied them intensely as well as lots of internet study and phone calls to builders. I attended Sonex build school three weeks ago. Flew the plane. Wonderful, professional people, but plane will not meet my mission requirements. Then concentrated on Zodiac CH-650, frankly, because the very desirable Vans products seemed too expensive and perhaps too difficult for me to build. The 650 seemed to be a great compromise for me, but further intense research brought me back to the Vans RV-9A. I am simply going to bite the bullet and build the correct aircraft for my well considered mission.

THE ISSUE: I really need to see and touch a real RV-9A before pulling the trigger. I need to talk to that builder one to one about his same dream and fulfillment. (The builders that I have talked to AND the Vans factory all tell me this.) if I can mooch a demo flight, wow!, all the better....and I can trade you for a drive of my Cobra around town if you like. Can anyone who has built a flying RV-9A in SW Florida (or anywhere within a day's drive) help me out? I would be extremely appreciative, I assure you. THANKS!

John Putnam 239-777-2555

[ty1295]

You might consider the RV12 also, loose a bit of speed but has a lot of other nice things about it as well as 1/2 the build time about.

I am sure you will be happy no matter what.

[Jwputnam]

Thanks for your reply. I considered the very nice RV-12, but it is still a LSA and really doesn't give me the cross country performance that I desire. I am pretty convinced that the RV-9A is for me. I hope to find out soon.

Thanks again though.

[Mike S]

John, welcome aboard the good ship VAF

For cross country, it is hard to beat the RV 9, fast and efficient.

[YellowJacket RV9]

I know that there are some RV's in Venice, and a good number here in the Tampa Bay area, especially KZPH and plenty more around central Florida. I had my first ride in a 9 at Peter O Knight; that plane is for sale now I believe. I am sure you will get some offers here shortly. I'm about a year away from flying or I would offer!

Chris

[BSwayze]

John, it's great to see you here on VAF!

Folks, I have been corresponding with John for a little while via emails, and I can tell you, he's one of us. He's a heck of a nice guy. I would encourage anyone near him to consider reaching out and offering him a chance to see your RV, and take him up for a demo ride. It's a chance to give something back. I invited him to come see my nearly-finished 7A, but I'm on the other side of the continent! I hope someone can help him out. You won't be sorry.

[GeneL]

Drive to Sebring on any Wed morning @ 0800 lots of RV talk and viewing, maybe even a ride. RV-9A=good choice, if you have a medical.

[Jwputnam]

Bruce, you are too kind!

I will head to Sebring ASAP.

Ooops, it is three hours north. Gonna have to plan this out. Thinking that I will leave here at 5 am next Wednesday in my Cobra (good opportunity to drive it a little) and get there by 8. Very excited! If all goes well, I'll be ordering my RV-9A next week. (Reading posts on this forum like crazy.)

[VETE76]

Originally Posted by Jwputnam

Bruce, you are too kind!

I will head to Sebring ASAP.

Ooops, it is three hours north. Gonna have to plan this out.

i flew out to there and found 33 other rv's there!
here is 7 of us flying to Sebring
[IMG][/IMG]

they are there at 0800 on the dot. they all leave 0900 we are the last to leave
[IMG][/IMG]

[n82rb]

john, cant help you with a 9a but I have my 4 up at FMY. Im doing some work on it right now, but when its done i can run on down to marco. would love to see your cobra since im thinking of building one.

bob burns
RV-4 N82RB