Van's RV-15 (Next thing coming?)

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by terrye

Just to be clear on the terminology, the RV-9(A) uses a John Roncz custom airfoil. The RV-10 and the RV-14 share the same custom airfoil (by a VAF contributor) but this is a different airfoil from the RV-9(A).

And both Steve and John did an amazing job designing custom airfoils!

Can you tell us why two different airfoils were used for the RV-9 vs. RV-10?

I'm with Scott, every time I fly my -9 I am stunned by the performance up high, down low, on takeoff, and landing.

My dream plane is 2+2 bush plane with that airfoil. While it will be no DRACO or Super STOL, it will be more than adequate for 99% of the rough fields I would like to visit.

[Tom Martin]

The RV14 was my eleventh and last plane. I would however be very interested in a high wing, NO strut, aluminum RV. Tail wheel of course. The RV14 gear would be perfect but I would want a heavier tail wheel and aft fuselage. Something able to handle rougher terrain. A 540 option would be awesome.
A fuseage half way between a 14 and a 10 would be perfect if it had a decent size aft door. What the heck, while you are at it make the main cabin doors removable!

With no struts I cannot see any reason why this could not be a 150 to 175 knot airplane.

[Canadian_JOY]

Originally Posted by Tom Martin

The RV14 was my eleventh and last plane. I would however be very interested in a high wing, NO strut, aluminum RV. Tail wheel of course. The RV14 gear would be perfect but I would want a heavier tail wheel and aft fuselage. Something able to handle rougher terrain. A 540 option would be awesome.
A fuseage half way between a 14 and a 10 would be perfect if it had a decent size aft door. What the heck, while you are at it make the main cabin doors removable!

With no struts I cannot see any reason why this could not be a 150 to 175 knot airplane.

Even with struts hanging out in the breeze the Sportsman does between 140 & 145 knots with an IO-390 so your speed goal seems entirely reasonable, with the higher speeds making sense particularly with a 540 installed. Of course it already has all those other mission-specific items you've suggested, but it still has those pesky struts which come in pretty handy when one wants to fold the wings.

[Mel]

The biggest problem with a strut-less high wing is head room. Without struts you will need a hefty spar carry-through. This takes up a lot of room just where you don't want it.

[bkervaski]

I would like to see the next model be an updated (version 2?) 10 or 14 with the fiberglass parts pre-finished and some of the more monotonous tasks pre-done.

As I see it, there are probably two classes of experimental folks .. builders and assemblers .. personally I think I fall somewhere in the middle.

And let's face it .. Experimental and LSA aircraft are the new GA, might as well get them cranking out .. these Cherokees and 172s are getting a little long in the tooth.

[greghughespdx]

Originally Posted by N941WR

Can you tell us why two different airfoils were used for the RV-9 vs. RV-10?

Maximized/optimized performance for the lower power and lower weight of the -9 meant choice of an airfoil that best fit/addressed that specific set of needs.

[bhassel]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Actually the 14 is the down sized RV-10 and the up sized RV-9.
It uses the RV-10 airfoil section which was design for cruising efficiency as its primary mission (just like the RV-9)

Thanks Scott, I must have lost those brain cells!

Now time for the decision, finish the 9 or build the 14...
Bob

[ReidVaitor]

Originally Posted by E. D. Eliot

I'm a Dynon guy - all in. And I'd like the option of buying a complete Dynon system which has actually been assembled and all of the wiring including the wiring that we place inside the structure of the airplane having been trial assembled and tested on the bench by Dynon. This would cost more but I'll bet it would be a good seller for Dynon. Yeah, I'm as sissy builder but a tested avionics system that I could simply install into my RV-9 would be nice to have. I will have a complete Dynon system in my 12 and the actual wiring of it has consumed many, many hours. I'd like a plug and play full avionics system that is fully tested at Dynon that I could simple install into my airframe, plug in, verify, and fly.

Your in luck- Dynon already has that
http://www.dynonavionics.com/quick-panels.php

[Steve Melton]

what about a Beluga to ferry parts around? not for hire of course.

[flyingRV]

When I visited a VANS presentation at Oshkosh they confirmed that
there are no plans so far to improve the kits of the 7 or 9 to make the construction easier/faster. It is not that easy and they prefer to spend the time on the RV15.
They didn‘t come up with any details not even a small hint, e.g. more for bushflying or speed or whatever. They told us that they even don’t know yet. But they „have listened to the Community“. Hard to believe for me that you begin a construction without having the goal already in mind.

The S21 from Rans caught my attention. Something like this from VANS and optimized for Rotax 912is or 914 at reasonable costs. I’d pull the trigger. Please no more 200+hp planes for 2 persons