ronschreck
Well Known Member
Great news: International Aerobatic Club president, Jim Bourke recently posted a graphic which describes the aerobatic capabilities of many "aerobatic" airplanes. To the surprise of many, the venerable RV series is now capable of competing in the Unlimited category. This category has long been the bastion of half million dollar mounts such as Walter Extras SC and NG as well as custom MX aircraft and the XTremeAir XA-42.
I have personally flown my RV-8 in IAC competition for many years and have found it to be quite capable in the Intermediate category. Now that I see it is theoretically capable of Unlimited aerobatics I wonder if I was loafing and blind to its ultimate capabilities. I am somewhat baffled to see that the chart finds the RV series unsafe for competition at the lower Advanced level. I can only surmise that the RV is SO good that it is unwise to hold back and languish in the Advanced category.
I called Van's to hopefully get Dick VanGrunsven's opinion on this great news but he was unwilling to take my call. His secretary failed to cover the phone mouthpiece when she relayed the news and I think I heard Dick say "you've got to be s***ing me!" I'll take that as a positive reaction to the news.
PS: April fool!
I have personally flown my RV-8 in IAC competition for many years and have found it to be quite capable in the Intermediate category. Now that I see it is theoretically capable of Unlimited aerobatics I wonder if I was loafing and blind to its ultimate capabilities. I am somewhat baffled to see that the chart finds the RV series unsafe for competition at the lower Advanced level. I can only surmise that the RV is SO good that it is unwise to hold back and languish in the Advanced category.
I called Van's to hopefully get Dick VanGrunsven's opinion on this great news but he was unwilling to take my call. His secretary failed to cover the phone mouthpiece when she relayed the news and I think I heard Dick say "you've got to be s***ing me!" I'll take that as a positive reaction to the news.
PS: April fool!