Intervention needed? Might sell RV-8

[jetjok]

I don't think parting with the RV would feel too good down the road. Yeah, you can always buy another one. But, I bet that the replacement just won't be what you currently have. Lets face it....You just aren't going to get the utilization from the Ryan. It will be a fun plane to fly, but how much will you (and can you) really fly it?
What about finding a like minded aviator or two, to do a partnership on the Ryan?

[gyoung]

Find a CAF unit or a museum near you and figure out how to fly their warbirds. Museums may take a bit of finesse or contacts to get in their pilot ranks but CAF is easy. Sponsorship cost for the primary trainers & liaison is $1500. Advanced trainers like AT-6, BT-13 are $3500. Proficiency flying is a nominal maintenance charge per hour plus fuel. CAF picks up the tab for sanctioned event flights. There are a surprising number of units that get little activity and are short on pilots. The Houston Wing I belong to has a PT-19, N3N, BT-13, AT-6 and C-60. I'm planning to start with the AT-6.

[wera710]

Mike S: HA!!! Yup. See, this is why I posted. I really am torn about it. I would love to be partners in a PT-26 but this one is an outright buy. Which would land me 20k in the bank after its all done. Otherwise, I'd not even be tempted. And i cannot afford to just buy out the guys partner, who wants out. The RV4 would be a viable temptation. Although I gotta say, once you've owned an 8, I think it would be harder to give up all the SPACE. Still, the prices are tempting for a dual ownership future!

And YES. Two aircraft are always better than one. Expect for Hanger rent. I never cared for it. Always feels like I was being ripped off. LOL. Feels even worse after one buddy pointed out that what I am spending on hanger rent would pay for THREE PAINT JOBS on my RV after 10 years!!! With friends like that, who point out the obvious, well, the mind get all kinds of twisted! Remind me to send him COAL for Christmas! I mean seriously...10 years of hanger rental = $35,000. Thats a complete RV-3 or 2.6 RV-8 paint jobs! Almost had me tempted to park on the ramp for $35 a month! I won't. but wow. We really do get raked over the coals in Aviation.

Coljo: Porsche's. 2009 Cayman S. Best car Porsche makes for track use. Perfectly balanced, you can get them used for a good price, and they feel like a small superbike on the track. I raced a Yamaha R6 for years, and climbing into the Cayman reminds me a lot of that agility. Its not the most HP of whats available, but its priced reasonably, and driven right, its faster than some of the bigger HP cars out there. honestly, even if i could afford a GT3, I'd still want the Cayman. Its really that good. But do not even think about pre-2009. PM me privately for why not. Or for why, and how to make them so you won't blow it up.

JetJok, Good point. I actually started this wanting to find a partner. Seems tougher than I thought. Not sure about usage though. Of late its all been local flying so the PT would be fine. For whatever reason, all my formation buds don't seem to have the time and lacking that, the RV starts to feel like any other spam can. Point A to Point B, only faster. Blah. Wishing I lived away from the coast. More areas to PLAY without getting ones license revoked!

gyoung...you have just thrown a whole nuther wrench into my thought process! LOL. THANKS! Altough around here, I doubt they are short of volunteers. But I will definitely check it out. Been thinking about it on the periphery for a long time. Just not sure of opportunities in SE PA.

All great comments, thanks guys! I really do not want to sell this 8. Its literally one of the best I have ever seen. Maybe I just need to act the airport-ride-whore and start bugging folks for rides in open cockpits and sliders! LOL.

[wera710]

See now...you said the Magic Word: BT-13. This is what I actually WANT. Not sure I want to FEED it. But as much as the T-6 attracts, the BT seems like the more sane aircraft to own, if one was insane enough to own a medium sized radial. Now, if you happen to know of one locally that wants a partnership...or just someone to keep time on his pride and joy, I got plenty of TD time and, i hope, the native skills to learn to fly it, so you just send him my way!

[Mike S]

Imagine seeing this in your Cayman

http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

[wera710]

Yeah, I am a Punisher, not a polisher, so that glass top would be lost on me. But it does look pretty awesome! Can't tell, is that a Chevy small block wedged in there...or something from a Vette? If the latter, HOLY **** DUDE! Go through brake pads much???

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by wera710

Can't tell, is that a Chevy small block wedged in there...or something from a Vette?

Yep, Chevy LS series--------click the link in my prior post.

I have an old 914 with a 301 Chevy, mucho fun

[Capflyer]

If you think a heat cycle in the Cayman is expensive wait until you get an older plane that will require a ton of TLC and A&P expertise. In other words you'll need a pit crew for the PT-26. How about selling the 8 and getting a 4. Gives you a few extra bucks for the track, maybe even some extra $$ to fix up your almost bone stock black beauty plus gets you into something new on the plane side that will feel like your flying a Porsche. Or better yet, sell them both and get a GT4!

[DaAV8R]

I'm pretty sure that nobody has ever gone to the nursing home saying, "I'm sure glad I didn't buy that beautiful old airplane!". I say if you want it, get it bought

If you change your mind down the road, sell the -26 and buy whatever you want.

[rightrudder]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Yep, Chevy LS series--------click the link in my prior post.

I have an old 914 with a 301 Chevy, mucho fun

Another Renegade Hybrids offender here...stock 310-bhp LS1 in my old 914. Great power-to-weight at only 2360 lb. Wheeee! But I sold it to help fund the RV project.