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  #1  
Old 04-14-2015, 12:05 AM
BruceT BruceT is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Romsey
Posts: 7
Default RV-3B W&B

I am looking to buy a finished, flying RV3B, and want to perform simple aero's
I read the Max aerobatic weight without fuel is 1050 lbs, I weigh 209 lbs
consequently any 3 that I buy must have an empty weight of 840 lbs.
Is there such an animal out there, as most I have seen are in the vicinity of 890 lbs. Or am I just too heavy to consider a RV3B an should look else where
Regards Bruce
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  #2  
Old 04-14-2015, 02:54 AM
humptybump humptybump is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 3,179
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Bruce,

WELCOME to VAF!

You will find some useful data here and at this RomeoLima page.


http://www.romeolima.com/RV3hq/Registry/registry.html
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  #3  
Old 04-14-2015, 08:05 AM
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rph142 rph142 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Walnut Creek CA
Posts: 513
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They're out there. My 3B weights 845lbs - IO-320, CATTO Prop, Inverted Oil, etc. I'm not quite ready to sell yet but at some point I'd like to sell it for a 6 or 7. I could lighten it up by about 15lbs with a lipo battery and lighter roll bar.
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The minimum number of planes one should own is one. The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of planes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of planes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

- Veluminati
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  #4  
Old 04-16-2015, 02:47 PM
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Andy Hill Andy Hill is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 976
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As Rob says, a light RV-3B is possible - Randy's collated table shows some.

Our RV-3B is being built with IO-320, CS Prop and full inverted systems. The target was a max 800lb Basic Weight, and I was told that was "unlikely".

Very recent progress gives me good reason to believe 750lb is achievable, but needs to be confirmed. Hopefully more info in a few months
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  #5  
Old 04-17-2015, 09:49 AM
highflight42x highflight42x is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Seattle
Posts: 104
Default RV3 gross weight acro

RV3 gross weight limit for acro is 1050lb minus weight of fuel in wings - check with Van's on this.

Keep paint to an absolute minimum (interior, exterior), go after every spare ounce, put on a Catto and don't load it up with a lot of other stuff ... and you'll come in under 800lbs empty easy. CS on a -3? Plus all the other junk everyone loads up with (autopilot, avionics, blah)? If you bring it in under 850lbs with all that, I'll want to know how you did it!

Lyc 0320-E2D + Catto is the lightest engine/prop combination. Do everything else to reduce weight, and you'll have 750lb empty. Read up on everything smokeyray says on here about light-weight RV's. For the -4 and -3, lightweight is superior to extra horsepower and CS.

- Steven
(900 RV3 hours - another one today!)
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  #6  
Old 04-17-2015, 11:39 AM
sandifer sandifer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 664
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Quote:
Originally Posted by highflight42x View Post
Lyc 0320-E2D + Catto is the lightest engine/prop combination. Do everything else to reduce weight, and you'll have 750lb empty. Read up on everything smokeyray says on here about light-weight RV's. For the -4 and -3, lightweight is superior to extra horsepower and CS.
Though I'm flying a Pitts at the moment, I still think about how neat it would be to have a very light RV-3 again. Mine was about 700 lbs - Type I wing, O-290, wood prop, no electrical, J-3 simple panel, no interior. It seems sub 750 lbs. would be possible with the B wing, O-320, 2-blade Catto, and no elec. Would be one fine flying airplane, just like my old one. It's amazing how much small weight differences affect the feel of airplanes this size.
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  #7  
Old 04-17-2015, 03:16 PM
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rph142 rph142 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Walnut Creek CA
Posts: 513
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I flew mine from coast to coast with 35 pounds of gear in the back. I was amazed at how different it felt. A 750 pound plane with minumum fuel would be a blast.
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www.myrv3.com
N59LG
The minimum number of planes one should own is one. The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of planes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of planes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

- Veluminati
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  #8  
Old 04-17-2015, 07:31 PM
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dacronwall dacronwall is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Palo Alto,CA
Posts: 106
Default RV-3A W&B

Hey guys, My 3A was built with an IO-360 and a CS prop. It is do-able...and she was very fast back then.

I just did W&B a few months ago after replacing the engine mount and gear legs, I am at 848 lbs with an IO-320 and the Vans 70CMx79 aluminum prop.

I do not have inverted fuel/oil, and my cockpit is fairly spartan...all steam gauges and a King KT76a. The places I have ID'd where I can save weight are the battery, I have a Concorde which weighs like #34 lbs, I cound get a much lighter battery. I have electric elevator trim which is really nice, but I could shed a couple lbs there. And also the prop. I am saving up my pennies for a Catto at the moment.

My buddy who has hundreds of hours in all sorts of RV's told me "get a light one....they fly much better" and this is true. And with an RV-3...who needs all that auto pilot and stuff. Keep it simple...and light!
Happy flying!
Dave
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  #9  
Old 05-03-2015, 05:27 AM
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Math-N338 Math-N338 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bietigheim-germany
Posts: 11
Talking Empty weight in rv 3

Hi All!

My 3B is kept very light, on weightscale it was 750 lbs! 340 Kg!
I have a O-320 C3B with a Born Prop on it,Minimum Instruments, and polished frame. I whant to keep it light and simple, worked quite well.

I don't know to get pics in here so : http://fly-vansrv.eu/rv-3b.html

Tailwinds
Math
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  #10  
Old 05-03-2015, 09:09 AM
enielsen enielsen is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Math-N338 View Post
Hi All!

I don't know to get pics in here so : http://fly-vansrv.eu/rv-3b.html
Schone Flugzeug ... aber warum verkaufen Sie?
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