Looking for RV-9A and lots of questions

[Jerry Kinman]

I have been flying my 9A for several years with an 0-320 160HP engine and a fixed pitch cruise prop and it is the perfect combination for my mission. Density altitude is not a problem where I live but it has been exposed to only as much as 6K conditions (so far) with no problems. It performs exactly according to Van's published performance specs except for takeoff/landing distances.

Gallagher Insurance has been my choice for years but when I transitioned from my RV-8 they required a CFI checkout/endorsement as I had no previous time in any Van's nosewheel models. I am not an A&P but I have a Repairman Certificate and perform my own maintenance and inspections but I highly recommend a pre-buy from a reputable IA familiar with RVs such as Vic Syracuse before you purchase.

[BobTurner]

1. You seem to have a good grasp of insurance. One good broker is all you should need - all the good ones solicit quotes from all the companies, as there aren’t that many. You’re choosing a broker based on their service. The sole exception is Avemco, which has its own in-house agents. But for the last decade plus, they’ve been absurdly over-priced.
2. Not sure you’ve grasped the crazy market place. Buyers are lining up to try to outbid each other when an RV comes on the market. If you’re serious about a six month time-line, you’re going to have to monitor for-sale places including VAF daily, be ready to overbid, be ready to be not too particular about engine, prop, avionics, including paying a lot more because it’s an ifr IO-320 with CS prop.
Just my two cents.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by Jerry Kinman

Gallagher Insurance has been my choice for years but when I transitioned from my RV-8 they required a CFI checkout/endorsement as I had no previous time in any Van's nosewheel models. I am not an A&P but I have a Repairman Certificate

I also use and recommend Gallagher but note that they are a ‘broker’, like an independent agent. They are not the insurance company, and they don’t set requirements - the insurance companies do that.
Also (for the OP), the repairman certificate is a great deal - but it is only available to the original builder, so doesn’t apply to you.

[Davy8or]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

http://www.cattoprops.com/

Thanks so much!

[Davy8or]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

2. Not sure you’ve grasped the crazy market place. Buyers are lining up to try to outbid each other when an RV comes on the market. If you’re serious about a six month time-line, you’re going to have to monitor for-sale places including VAF daily, be ready to overbid, be ready to be not too particular about engine, prop, avionics, including paying a lot more because it’s an ifr IO-320 with CS prop.
Just my two cents.

It is what it is. I only have so much money to spend on this and if it isn't enough, I'll have to pick something else. I don't have to have a Vans. I see some advertised and the ads have been there awhile, so I guess either they don't bother taking ads down, they're way over priced, or there are some things seriously wrong with the planes I guess. Anyhow just hoping rising interest rates will cool the plane market. Might be really wrong though.

[Dugaru]

This combo is such a good price/performance equation that I'm mildly surprised that nobody has tried to certify it. Simple, relatively inexpensive, climbs great, goes fast, handles well when slow, highly efficient traveling machine, great performance across a wide range of altitudes, super easy to fly. Obviously I'm biased, but after flying one for a few years I really think the 9A is Vans' masterpiece.

Originally Posted by Jerry Kinman

I have been flying my 9A for several years with an 0-320 160HP engine and a fixed pitch cruise prop and it is the perfect combination for my mission.

[MacCool]

Originally Posted by Davy8or

It is what it is. I only have so much money to spend on this and if it isn't enough, I'll have to pick something else. I don't have to have a Vans. I see some advertised and the ads have been there awhile, so I guess either they don't bother taking ads down, they're way over priced, or there are some things seriously wrong with the planes I guess. Anyhow just hoping rising interest rates will cool the plane market. Might be really wrong though.

Right now, the market is crazy, but looming stagflation and a very likely recession may well have big impact on those crazy prices, and that's probably less than a year out. Jumping in now might put you at the very peak of the seller's market and give you the dubious opportunity of buying high and selling low.

[Davy8or]

Originally Posted by MacCool

Right now, the market is crazy, but looming stagflation and a very likely recession may well have big impact on those crazy prices, and that's probably less than a year out. Jumping in now might put you at the very peak of the seller's market and give you the dubious opportunity of buying high and selling low.

Agreed. So I watch and wait a little bit. As it is, about 80% of the ones I have seen for sale I can't afford. I might have to consider getting an older -6A, but it's not really the plane I want.

[avrojockey]

Originally Posted by Davy8or

Yes, you are correct. I work with an IA on my field. He signs me off. Thank you for raising the issue of insurance. I forgot to mention that but it is definitely on the list of what-abouts. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be lower than the Mooney. Every year it goes up no matter what and this year they wanted over $1700. Bonus points for adding a company and contact name!! I will call.

Definitely...similar hull value the RV-9A will be 1/2-1/3 the insurance of the Mooney, because of historical gear issues.

I was quoted $2300 for a Mooney, $1200 for V-tail Bonanza, and $900 for RV-9A with similar hull. To give context...I have several hundred hours in the Mooney (did my commercial and instrument in it), but had 0 time in bonanzas (several hundred in barons though), and only a couple hours in an RV-12 when shopping insurance rates

RV-9A is the easiest airplane I've flow...very honest and fun to fly. Low wing loading does provide for a rougher ride, but that wing also gets you higher and out of the bumps, as long as you have more than O-235 in it.

[Dugaru]

The right -6A is a very, very good machine. I think it's the real value leader in used RVs.

Originally Posted by Davy8or

Agreed. So I watch and wait a little bit. As it is, about 80% of the ones I have seen for sale I can't afford. I might have to consider getting an older -6A, but it's not really the plane I want.