PnP in RV-8

[LuckyDuck]

Has anyone flown PnP in an RV-8? I'm wondering about fitting a crate in the backseat. Thanks!

[Deweyclawson]

If you strap anything in the back seat, take the stick out. Do not depend on the seat belts to hold something in place. It will shift and jam the stick.
Don't ask how I know this.

[humptybump]

only a small crate will fit in the back of an RV-8. If you want to transport a medium or large dog, you may be better off coming up with a solution that actually turns the back into a crate.

[brad walton]

I take out the rear stick and remove the rear seat back. I can get a 25 lb crate half in baggage area and half on rear seat. I do use the seat belt and shoulder harness to secure the crate and it works well. I have a Vans tool box attached with bolts to the rear baggage floor and I could get a slightly larger crate in if I removed the tool box. 2017 I flew 9 dogs, a mother cat and 6 kittens. Largest was a 30 lb pitbull. Hope to do more this year.

[Joker]

I use a collapsible, soft-sided medium crate. I remove the stick, seat cushion, and seat back. The crate sticks about 12" into the baggage area. The key is that the crate opens on the top rather than the front and I lower the animal in, rather than try to load a hard crate. My limit is 45#, primarily for the dog's comfort. This has worked well for me in over 100 transports. I'm not sure how well tethering a dog in a tandem aircraft would work. (I once had a dog manage to open the zipper. Luckily, she only wanted to look around. Gave me a start when she nudged my neck with her cold nose.) You'll no doubt find animal rescue one of the most satisfying uses for you plane.

Good luck!

[humptybump]

Originally Posted by Joker

I use a collapsible, soft-sided medium crate. I remove the stick, seat cushion, and seat back.

I should investigate the largest soft crate I can find that will fit.

Could you share the dimensions and brand of the unit you use?

[Joker]

The brand name of mine is Nature's Miracle. It's 21"w x 23"h x30"l. I erect it in place; it requires a little slithering. I modified mine slightly, moving the long side braces in 1/2", but it works unaltered.

From the tag: naturemakesitwork.com. 877-880-8855. I got it at PetSmart, but don't remember the cost.

[mbuehler]

I've done a medium sized dog in the back of my RV4 which would be similar. I removed the back seat and stick which made the whole back area a "crate". Plastic down for accidents, then pillows and blankets on the floor, and the dog seemed to like having sun or shade depending on where he lay.

https://imgur.com/iQVap3D

[Fearless]

Martin,

Where do you find dogs for adoption like Bandit? I would have taken him.

[cardinalflier]

I am thinking of flying some PNP missions in either my Cessna Cardinal ( remove the back seat for big dogs) or my RV6. Does everyone use a crate to contain the dog? What about big dogs that wont fit in a crate that can be placed in the airplane?
Bruce