acroflyrgirl
Well Known Member
Does anyone have stats on how many of the RV9 vs RV9A are flying?
These numbers are probably pretty close. When I first flew mine in 2007, I think I was the 8th flying.I fly a RV-9 and since they are so rare I started a list a few years ago.
I believe the list of RV-9's is up to 20. I am sure there are more but that is what I have found in 4 years of VAF and fly-ins.
Much more rare than a -7. Most -9's are built as "A's" for some reason. Yet the -9 is a much better flying machine then the -7, more balanced in its controls.Are they any more rare than an RV7 compared to RV7A?
Those numbers aren't even close. The reason is that there are many -9A's registered as -9's.Just counted registrations in US and Canada, total of 801 registrations (there's 1035 on the hobbs meter so this is a good portion of them). There are 9 RV-9 registered in Canada and 77 in the US. A little less than 11%. So if that ratio holds true for the rest of the world, there's about 111 finished RV-9 out there.
Anyone have an opinion on why the ratio of RV9/RV9A is so much lower than the ratio of RV7/RV7A? I have never understood this.
Anyone have an opinion on why the ratio of RV9/RV9A is so much lower than the ratio of RV7/RV7A? I have never understood this.
Good explanation. I wanted a non-acro RV that was reasonably quick, but emulated my DA-20 trainer as much as possible and landed at a slow speed, so the -9A fit the bill perfectly. I have no real desire to fly a tailwheel model, but I think it's great that Van's offers the option of building the -9 either way.I think pilots looking to do acro are more likely to prefer a tailhweel. Also, the flying characteristics of the 9/9A may draw more newer pilots (myself included), with no tailwheel experience. Like many others, I built my 9A mostly for comfortable and safe cross-country flying. A nosewheel just makes more sense for many of us looking for the most practical airplane and not trying to "look cool"
Chris
My first thought about Claude's comment and numbers was the same as Bill's.
I don't believe them. I think some RV-9a's are registered as RV-9's. The FAA does care with experimental. You could call it a 6-VR if you wanted.
I picked a 9 as I wanted a stable IFR platform for Cross County more than I wanted aerobatics. Then I wanted a fun plane to fly and a tailwheel is more fun for me.