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05-22-2015, 09:12 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmcanty3
I find that as builders, we tend to waaay over-think things. Sometimes you gotta go with your gut. And if your gut is quite prominent, perhaps go with the -14!
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Now that's a good one right there. 
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05-22-2015, 09:22 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Posts: 353
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I've been waffling over the 9 vs 14 ... I'm back at 9 ...
Mostly because of the money ... the price of a 14 just keeps going up ... the price on the finish kit is eye popping! I could do it, but it would be stressful, and I want this to be fun of course ... worrying about money would be no fun.
Also, I could easily build a nicer 9 overall due to the availability of more options, parts, after market add-ons, etc. The platform is overall much more mature, there is much more accumulated knowledge and experience out there. As a first time builder who hasn't built much else in his life, that has major value.
__________________
J.F.
Sling 4 empennage kit on order!
Future EAA 245 Member (Hopefully)
Current Piper Warrior PA-28-151 Owner/Pilot
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.sling4.ninja
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05-22-2015, 02:25 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 46
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CH 18
Roger,
You may want to check out EAA Chapter 18. Many RV's and builders with experience close to your location.
PM if interested in details.
TS
Last edited by T.S. : 05-22-2015 at 02:29 PM.
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05-22-2015, 10:24 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Now, if we can only talk you into dropping the "A"!
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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05-24-2015, 02:14 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Posts: 200
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Is the 14 really easier?
+1 on what Bret said. I am mid way through my wings and I have to wonder how they could possibly have made the -14 any easier without taking all the fun out of it.
Also remember that there are a couple of thousand -7s flying, but nobody has yet actually built a -14 fuselage other than Vans. With a -7 there may be a few issues with the manual but they are well known and well documented. I have not had to ask a question yet, a search on VAF has solved every problem I have had. It is hard to beat that kind of accumulated wisdom.
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Ed Fleming
RV-7- Nearly there!
Harare, Zimbabwe
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05-26-2015, 06:37 PM
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Savannah
Posts: 806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z-EDD
+1 on what Bret said. I am mid way through my wings and I have to wonder how they could possibly have made the -14 any easier without taking all the fun out of it.
Also remember that there are a couple of thousand -7s flying, but nobody has yet actually built a -14 fuselage other than Vans. With a -7 there may be a few issues with the manual but they are well known and well documented. I have not had to ask a question yet, a search on VAF has solved every problem I have had. It is hard to beat that kind of accumulated wisdom.
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Yes, it is easier. No, I do not find that having better designed and fabricated parts takes any fun out of the build.
Several RV-14 builders must be building aluminum canoes in their garages if there are no RV-14 fuselages being built outside of the Vans factory.
The remark concearning the manuals and the fact that the -7 is well documented is comical if you have seen any of the newer plans such as the -10, -12 and -14. There is no need to research the pool of accumulated knowledge when building a -14, just follow the clear and concise instructions step by step.
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Mike Hammond
A&P IA PPL ASEL
RV-14A kit S/N 140170
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05-26-2015, 07:15 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 963
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Just the 14 canopy alone is worth a bunch. The refinements to the 14 over the other kits sounds like the next evolution in Van's kits is here. The 14 gives you the opportunity for a total package build like the 12. I started a 9 (may finish it someday), but once the 12 is built, I'd love a 14!
Of course only Wilbur and Orville probably know where Van's headed next and what awaits our building future.
Bob
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Bob Hassel
NM
Subscription Paid for 2020
Home is where the hanger is...
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08-07-2015, 11:05 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 20
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I, too, am new to this (this is my 2nd post), and I am evaluating which model would be best for me ... the 7 or the 14.
Is the 14 seen as an eventual replacement for the 7? (like how the 7 was a replacement for the 6, best I can gather)
If so ... how long after the RV-14 taildragger comes out would Van's keep supplying empennages for the RV-7? I see the RV-6 empennage is no longer available ... the same thing would eventually happen with the RV-7. It would be problematic to start in on an RV-7 and then have the empennage be "NLA".
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08-07-2015, 11:39 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lake Country, B.C. Canada
Posts: 2,416
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But the pool is HUGE!
Steve, I've thought the same.....what if....Van's goes under, like a zillion other kit manufacturers.
well, if you were taking the usual 5.83 years to build a kit, say a -7,
I'd say you'd have a LOT of half built tail kits still out there.
RV7 - 4,119 kits shipped = 1,209 completed to date ( 2012 estimate)
heck, you can buy a new empennage for a BD-5, ( on eBay) even tho it was last in production in 1975....just because they shipped about 5,000 of them, and they are still hanging in garages around the world!
the -6 emp was discontinued thru a design revision, the -7 improved spin recovery, so became the defacto standard 'bolt-on'.
plus, you 'start' on the empennage, so you'd have that covered. ...and Lots of aftermarket parts. ...more than any other kitplane.
Can't get a cowl, or wheelpants? the market gives you choices like the Sam James versions.
__________________
Perry Y.
RV-9a - SOLD!....
Lake Country, BC
Last edited by flyboy1963 : 08-07-2015 at 11:42 AM.
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08-07-2015, 01:00 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arizona Aviator
If so ... how long after the RV-14 taildragger comes out would Van's keep supplying empennages for the RV-7?
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The RV-7 design was basically doing a bit of modernizing and updating of an already great airplane (RV-6, still the most popular kit ever sold) so that is why the RV-6 was phased out.... the RV-7 is largely the same airplane.
The RV-14 is a side by side 2 seat approved for aerobatics, but other than that, it is a very different airplane. The RV-7 will likely always be available as long as there is market demand, which I think it will always have since it is a bit more of the economy kit when compared to the RV-14.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1963
the -6 emp was discontinued thru a design revision, the -7 improved spin recovery, so became the defacto standard 'bolt-on'.
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The RV-7 is not promoted as having a better spin recovery than the RV-6.
They RV-7 with the updated tail, has ~ the same spin recover as an RV-6 with an RV-6 tail.
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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