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04-05-2015, 08:45 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
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Welcome
Welcome to VAF. Mike Starkey must be washing his welcome apron  You'll get it later
There are several planes that will fulfill the mission of the RV line. For me, I wanted a financially secure company with many airframes out there. Van's is the only one that really fits the bill. When it comes to building, you want to have the ability to look at someone else's project while you are building yours. When you can see the airframe the answers become clear.
Finally, I love the looks of the RV line, especially tail draggers. The RV is the "Harley of the Skies." We are a family, a fraternity, a brotherhood and sisterhood. Not sure you'll find this close knit aspect with other planes. Now, having built 1 3/4 7's, I can now tell you it is about the people. Visit Oshkosh and you'll completely understand.
__________________
Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver
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04-05-2015, 10:29 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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On the OP's Q, when I bought my RV, the bud I bought it from told me something that has rung true throughout. There are perhaps no other aircraft out there that do as many different things as well as an RV or Rocket. It just hits on more cylinders that about anything else, truly!
As also has been said, the community is unbelievable, and being a part of it has been a life-changer in more ways than can be described. The circle of friends grows as fast as the plane will get you down the road! My wife thinks I'm having an affair with the UPS gal, but other than that...
Welcome aboard!
As for the color Q on glass...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aero_Octaveus
(Fiberglass planes can only be primarily white)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Arehart
Why is this?
Greg
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 60av8tor
Is this accurate? Isn't the Cirrus fiberglass? Perhaps they use some sort of process - always thought they were painted. I've always really liked their schemes on the newer planes.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright
Temperatures. If glass airplanes get hot, the structure weakens. So you paint them white so they stay cooler sitting out on the ramp in a sunny/warm climate. There is a very large temperature difference between a white airplane and a dark airplane in those circumstances.
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Kyle's correct, it's all about the temperature. I looked into this for a side-project in the mill, and sought the corporate knowledge of several of the Sport Class racers with fast glass. Most have white aircraft, though some have used dark colors or have dark areas in their paint scheme...even on the wings, where structural strength after sitting in the sun is a big factor. Those I spoke with, some with Scaled Composites experience, said it primarily comes down to materials and curing method. There are resins and hardeners that can be cured at high enough temps that the final product won't reach the curing temp in the sun, even if painted a dark color. I was told about materials that needed to be refrigerated until use, with very specific utilization methods and layup processes. Very expensive and finicky stuff, from the sound of it. It can be done, at a cost of time, money and commitment to process. I'm betting those Cirrus wings are light silver on top...though Cirrus may use some of those high-end processes too.
Cheers,
Bob
Last edited by rvmills : 04-05-2015 at 10:32 AM.
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04-05-2015, 12:48 PM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Harrisburg, Pa
Posts: 759
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright
Temperatures. If glass airplanes get hot, the structure weakens. So you paint them white so they stay cooler sitting out on the ramp in a sunny/warm climate. There is a very large temperature difference between a white airplane and a dark airplane in those circumstances.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvmills
I'm betting those Cirrus wings are light silver on top...though Cirrus may use some of those high-end processes too.
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Good info, Kyle. And yes, Bob, you're right. All the recent Cirrus schemes (and TTX) I've seen are silver base with perhaps a narrow band of color on the wing. And yes, that band is generally a lighter color.
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04-05-2015, 04:42 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 114
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All,
Thanks so much for all the answers. I pretty much narrowed it down between the Vans or Soex (for affordability). The only thing that turns me off about the Sonex is the size. Im not the biggest guy (6' 200#) but that plane looks really small. If I were flying alone the sonex would probably be number 1, but the wife will want to tag along when I go on vacation! I want to be semi comfortable when I do, so that puts Vans as my first choice.
Also, the community is also a major plus. I didn't expect to get so many responses in 24 hrs...I know that I will be able to get any question I need answered.
I didn't see a new member introduction page so i will take this opportunity. I am currently Active Duty Air Force, been in for a little over 5 years. I am a developmental engineer for the Air Force and graduated from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) with a degree in mechanical engineering. I have been able to do some pretty cool things over the last 5 years. I have gotten the chance to fly in a KC-135 and refuel some F-22's and i was also fortunate enough to get ~2 hours in a F-15. Thats just a short introduction about me, but i'm looking forward getting to know everyone.
I'm still looking for my first ride in a Vans, so if anyone is ever around Montgomery, Al let me know!
thanks again for all the help so far!!!
__________________
-Hawk
Last edited by thoma015 : 04-05-2015 at 04:47 PM.
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04-05-2015, 05:22 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
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Thank you
Hawk
Thank you for your service.
Take a ride in an RV. Most expensive ride you'll ever take. 
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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04-05-2015, 05:25 PM
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Perryville, MD
Posts: 93
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The Sonex isn't really all that cheaper to build, the airframe cost is not too far off the RV 7, 8 or 9. The advertised savings are due to the AeroVee and the basic avionics. If you find a good deal on a motor and keep the avionics simple the price isn't too bad. There are some threads on here on the lowest cost completions.
__________________
Joe Mikus
MSgt USAF Ret Avionics Tech
Perryville, MD
Student Sport Pilot
Future RV-12 Builder?
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04-05-2015, 07:18 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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With the RV's in our hangar, we have the "all-around performance" pretty well covered. We do have a couple of missions that just poke well out the side of the RV box, so for those, we need something special. A Xenos Motorglider is gestating in our hanagr now, for thsoe days when we want to burn just a little gas to get off the ground, then shut the motor down and surf the wave. And we have partnered in a Dream Tundra to give us a rough back country workhorse of a bush plane.
Different planes for different missions. Pick the one that does what you need it to do.
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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04-05-2015, 07:42 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sedona Arizona
Posts: 349
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Before I purchased my 7A kit I seriously considered a Glasstar. It was pretty tempting to have ability to put it on floats, go tail wheel or nose gear, better back country camping capabilities, etc. but in the end the RV speed and aerobatic capabilities won me over. Well that and the way they fly. Once you get your hands on an RV stick and control the plane for a while you are hooked real solid 
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04-05-2015, 07:43 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
Posts: 3,679
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joker
It might also be helpful to look at resale values of various planes. Not that you build with the intent of selling, but I think it's a pretty fair measure of a plane's value.
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I think this is likely the best reason for choosing an RV. It factors in all of the other reasons into one. More builders out here to help, more flying planes, more insurance stats, more refined kits, etc.
__________________
Jesse Saint
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