Sx300 vs Rocket

[g zero]

Sx 300 vs Rocket , if one could rise from the dead what would you choose ?
Would a RV8 fuse be a good starting point for a new go fast wing and tail ?

[Jerry Cochran]

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/A...00-Serious-fun

Same wingspan but tapered) as RV7. 300hp, clean stall 91k landing config 75k. I wonder what length of runway would be appropriate for landing...Coming down final @ 75x1.3=97.5kts (112mph) Not for an old feller like me...

We did have one land at 2S6 a few years back flown by a former fighter Jock (F-104 he said) So I guess 2755' is plenty. Used about half that on TO.

Luv to catch a ride in one..

Jerry

[blueflyer]

That was a good read about the SX300. The pilot had better have all the rust knocked off prior to hopping in and lighting the fire on this one!

[GeneL]

Check flight aware for N301E look at speed graph 309k! Harry said he had a 35k tail wind, that still works out to 274k, I've been with him going faster. My 7A is 100k slower... OH WELL

[B25Flyer]

There are two reasons why I have a Rocket instead of an Sx-300. The wing loading is really high. This means the stall speed is really high so an off airport landing is going to be a really bad day. And it has zero tolerance for ice.

And the landing gear on the SX is not exactly bulletproof...

If Mark built a retract taildragger, and raised the Vne 20 ktas with some flutter testing to support it, that would be my next airplane....

[pierre smith]

There have also been quite a few fatalities in the SX. I have a friend at Spruce Creek who has all the stats.

Best,

[rvmills]

There are a couple SX-300s that fly in SARL, and a few more that are regulars at AirVenture Cup. Beautiful airplanes, and all very fast 300mph +/-. I've also seen one that was pretty rough around the edges, so like all E-AB, quality in = quality out.

I haven't flown an SX yet, but in talking to the pilots, while sleek and fast, they are arguably less of an all-around performer than the Rocket, or the RV-8 that the OP is building. Similar to comparing a Legacy to a Rocket?speed vs all-around utility. Concur with Doug about the SX gear. Not as narrow or short-coupled as the Questair Venture, but a bit on that side of things. Nonetheless, beautiful, fast airplanes!

With respect to the OP's question, the 8 fuse as a platform for a go-fast wing and tail? Depends on how fast?as Doug said, a Retrac Rocket would be awesome, but higher speeds require good engineering and testing. I know Mark has his sleeves rolled up on this, and there is a lot to consider, from strength to competition for wing space (between fuel tankage and gear wells, etc). Lot's to work through, but it'd be a pretty plane too!

Cheers,
Bob

[SteinAir]

Originally Posted by B25Flyer

There are two reasons why I have a Rocket instead of an Sx-300. The wing loading is really high. This means the stall speed is really high so an off airport landing is going to be a really bad day. And it has zero tolerance for ice.

And the landing gear on the SX is not exactly bulletproof...

If Mark built a retract taildragger, and raised the Vne 20 ktas with some flutter testing to support it, that would be my next airplane....

The SX is one very gorgeous airplane, but if you ever get deep into the guts of one you'll find out how insanely complicated they are (crazy linkages for just about everything). The gear is a Rube Goldberg thing if you've ever seen one, so are many of the other systems in it. They are incredibly difficult to build and put together (probably tied or even leads the S-51 in relation to kit complexity for a metal aircraft), and as such maintenance is of critical importance. Somehow Swearingen broke the laws of physics and literally managed to cram 10lbs of "stuff" into a 5 gallon pail with that plane.

I still admire them, have worked on them, know a couple of folks who've built them (there weren't many completed to begin with, and even fewer folks who actually built them). I don't know if there is really room to modify that particular airplane very much for mass production (or re-introduction), I think it'd really just need to be a clean sheet design.

Anyway, not much to add other than I'll be blunt - too much airplane for me. I respect them, I respect/admire those who have built them and fly them, but I also know very well about their Achilles heel's that Doug mentions above (sadly).

Cheers,
Stein

[F1Boss]

"If Mark built a retract taildragger, and raised the Vne 20 ktas with some flutter testing to support it, that would be my next airplane...."

Heh-heh. That's quite a throw-down, if I do say so myself. FYI I do not take trade-ins, even of they ARE RED.

Sorry for the thread drift, fellas. Yes, the SX-300 is a looker, and it's fast. There are other considerations, ya know.

Carry on!
Mark

[f1rocket]

Originally Posted by F1Boss

"If Mark built a retract taildragger, and raised the Vne 20 ktas with some flutter testing to support it, that would be my next airplane...."

Heh-heh. That's quite a throw-down, if I do say so myself. FYI I do not take trade-ins, even of they ARE RED.

Sorry for the thread drift, fellas. Yes, the SX-300 is a looker, and it's fast. There are other considerations, ya know.

Carry on!
Mark

I've got a fat checkbook and the time, and if the Feds get rid of the third class medical thing, I'm all over this. However, what I don't have is A KIT TO BUY! No, a real kit. Not a dream, not a promise, not a deposit on a maybe one day kit, a REAL KIT. "If you build it, we will come!" - Anon.

My Rocket was the best airplane I ever owned. I'd love to build just one more before I go.