|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

12-10-2013, 01:52 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 1,628
|
|
Consider this...
Alan,
If there was a prize for stuffing the most stuff in the back seat of an -8 my wife would win, hands down. We have been all over this country with over 1700 hours in our RV-8 in the past 7 years. Kathy makes use of the side pockets and several pockets on the back of the front seat as well as a bit of storage on either side of the rear seat cushion. She somehow finds room for her purse, a good book, the DVD player for in-flight movies, her iPad and iPhone, a snack bag, two bottles of water, her knitting bag and... (wait for it)... our two chihuahuas!  Oh, and don't forget the water bowl and food for the dogs.
I do remove the rear stick so I don't have to fight the three of them for control.
__________________
Ron Schreck
IAC National Judge
RV-8, "Miss Izzy", 2250 Hours - Sold
VAF 2021 Donor
|

12-10-2013, 05:38 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
|
|
Alan, we're like Smokey and Kathy (sans chihuahuas). I just sit up there and ask for things, and Patti hands them forward. I have no idea where she stows it all, but it may involve a top hat and a wand.
Seriously, my -8 was built for the mission you describe. The big motor hauls a heavy load to cool air altitudes as quickly as possible. The raised turtledeck increases rear baggage volume...a lot. The tip-over canopy is completely out of the way for rear seat boarding (you'll see when your wife tries a slider), and the narrowed sill rails add a bit more shoulder room. The center mounted rollbar is a huge handhold for ladies of a certain age; something to hang on to while on the wing walk, and solid support in just the right place for hoisting in and out.
Most of the above is part of a Showplanes fastback kit: http://www.showplanes.com/index.php?...980600jnocvsj6
When solo, small backpacks, etc drop into the footwells on each side of your seat....which illustrates the cabin width difference between an -8 and the rest. See how much space between our shoulders and the canopy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR
The only thing you give up with the -9 is the ability to do acro. Speed, climb, etc. is virtually identical.
|
Bwahahahahaha!!!!
Oops, sorry Bill. That just slipped out
-8 owners don't miss a picnic cooler because we get there well before lunch. I routinely flight plan 180 knots chock to chock.
__________________
Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
Last edited by DanH : 12-10-2013 at 07:33 AM.
|

12-10-2013, 07:29 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 590
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by xblueh2o
If you are wide shouldered the 6,7,9 most likely won't work for you. Take a look at the 14, or the 10 if you think you might want 4 seats.
|
Welcome Alan! I am almost done with my -7, based at BJC, so no flying experience yet. But I can tell you from sitting in it during the build...wide shoulders are not a good fit for the 6/7/9's. I am building a -7 for two reasons, my SO likes to sit next to me and I like to share the flying experience with my passengers...everyone like to look at the panel and see the runway on approach, etc. Second, if I am flying solo its nice to have the open seat next to me to utilize if needed.
But....I will admit to a certain RV8 envy, that's a great plane...although I cant believe its as good for long cross country flights as the 'side by sides' because of the cockpit layout. But...alas, we cant have it all...I'd rather do formation and aerobatics in the -8 so pick your poison.
__________________
Ron Duren
Mechanical Engineer
"SportAir PhD"-RV Assembly/Composites/Electrical
Denver, CO (KBJC)
RV-7 'Tip Up'
Flying!! as of 3/16/14
IO-375/ WW 200G-CS/ SkyView/ Dual P-mags
N531R "Wablosa" Wings of Red
http://www.ronsrv7project.blogspot.com
|

12-10-2013, 08:20 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotAlan
Great! Not having experience, I was concerned with a backpack or similar impinging on stick movement. Looking at photos, it appears tighter than it now seems.
When flying solo XC, where do you stow the stuff that the rest of us throw on the empty passenger seat?
|
One thing you might consider if you have a "pilot + passenger" mission like I do (vs. a "crew"), is to make the stick easily removable. I'm going to use a quick release similar to a bicycle seat post clamp so that the stick can be removed and stowed when conducting "passenger" missions.
As for stowing "stuff" up front when solo - I have the standard -8 side pockets and rear seat footwells as well as some custom pockets low and to the sides (under the power quadrant and console) that most people cover with an aluminum plate. the cell phone goes on the upper longeron behind the roll bar brace, and the iPod mini clips to the glare shield lip. Finally, because I have a flat wrap windscreen, I have pockets sewn into the glareshield cover for charts, pens, notpad, etc.
My wife and I did Osh a couple years ago and even with a tent, tools, tie downs, canopy cover, clothes and food, we were still able to do 6+ hour flying days in relative comfort. Plenty of room with some planning.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
|

12-10-2013, 08:53 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 868
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotAlan
BTW, the blue board is Pilots of America message board.
|
Uh oh! Don't let it be known over there that you're considering a switch to the dark side! I'm a lurker on that board and have noticed quite a bit of disdain for RVers ... they think we're all a bunch of overhead break flying fighter pilot wannabes.
But back on topic; like the others have said, you will find a way to make it work with the -8 back seat. My spousal unit travels just fine back there with a pillow and a book with plenty of room for water bottles and a lunch bag.
*edit* Too late, cat's outta the bag, you already posted the question there as well! It still looks civil so far...
__________________
John Bixby
RV-8 QB sn 82030 - 1750 hrs
O-360-A1D/CS/Pmags
Houston, TX
Last edited by jbDC9 : 12-10-2013 at 09:05 AM.
Reason: just cuz
|

12-10-2013, 09:14 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Pottstown PA
Posts: 209
|
|
Except for panel space, I would make a case for the RV-8 as being ?arguably? superior for truly long cross countries vs. the side by side RVs -- In terms of ergonomics and comfort. The -8 really gives you plenty of wiggle room that the side by side RVs desperately lack. There is nothing more uncomfortable than sitting next to someone for 5 hours while having to over-lap shoulders, bump sides, reach around, or squeeze tightly next too. I know it may seem counter intuitive, but the fact is that nearly, but not all, side by side General Aviation aircraft leave a lot to be desired in creature comfort on this specific point. They all seem designed for 1930s versions of humanity in terms of shoulder width. I have flown in RV-6s and -7s and frankly, can't wait to get on the ground after an hour sitting next to a friend. The exception would be the RV-14. Which is the reason it exists ? to address this issue. I am a normal sized guy (5? 10?), with normal but slightly broad shoulders and in the other side by side RVs it becomes really uncomfortable having to sling your arm behind the pilot or passenger just to make room to move around. For short hops it?s not a big deal but after a while it becomes tedious when someone has to move to allow the other just to shift weight or pass a map. Maybe I am more critical of this because I flew an antique/classic for decades, where shoulder room was only a dream.
Conversely the RV-8 has plenty of shoulder room so it?s never a matter of feeling squeezed into a tight space. Your bottom will wear out long before your upper body ever takes note that it?s in an aircraft. In the side by sides, it always seems a battle between shoulders for room. An added advantage of the wide tandem seating is that your passenger has free reign to move about at their leisure. Whether you have a guy or a girl back there, they have far more freedom of movement in the -8. Space for cockpit garbage is abundant.
The downsides are of course the following:
If you want to feel like an airline pilot with three or four flat panels and a dozen radios, the -8 is not for you. Panel space is plenty sufficient, especially with today?s newer systems, but the gadgeteers and the avionics dependent have to plan accordingly. You?ve plenty of room on the -8 panel, but some folks just want triple of everything and that means a side by side panel.
If you have to access large items in flight, it?s not for you. But it will hold a surprising amount of garbage between the seat and cockpit walls. (however, having a passenger pass something up to you is actually nicer than both of you having to shift around so they can get something out of the back).
You cannot put an air conditioner in the baggage as easily as you can in the side by side?but it can be done for those needing it.
It?s not as ?intimate? as a side by side but the need to hold your gals hand kinda goes out the window two hours into a long trip. Some passengers will love the tandem and others will feel the need to be seated beside you. I?d suggest bumming your passenger rides in both types, and for more than five minutes. Some might feel isolated in the -8 while others love the freedom of movement and the ability to do as they please back there without getting in the way of operations.
__________________
Scott "Lawbreaker" (yeah, its a fair cop!)
RV-8 N710PX "Bad Attitude!"
|

12-10-2013, 09:44 AM
|
 |
Senior Curmudgeon
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotAlan
My wife and I are both broad-shouldered. I have a 52 inch chest.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH
The raised turtledeck increases rear baggage volume...a lot. The tip-over canopy is completely out of the way for rear seat boarding (you'll see when your wife tries a slider), and the narrowed sill rails add a bit more shoulder room. The center mounted rollbar is a huge handhold for ladies of a certain age; something to hang on to while on the wing walk, and solid support in just the right place for hoisting in and out.
Most of the above is part of a Showplanes fastback kit: http://www.showplanes.com/index.php?...980600jnocvsj6
|
I too am wide in the shoulder area, so much so that a standard sliding canopy 8 is very uncomfortable for me, and quite possibly something I could not even fly due to the narrow width at the upper arm area.
On the other hand, the RV8 with a ShowPlanes canopy setup is wide enough to fit me..........it is all about how the canopy moves, a slider must have parallel tracks, and the narrow part of the cockpit dictates the track width, while the wider part suffers from that. In the ShowPlanes setup, the canopy is side hinged, and therefore there are no guide tracks in the way.
I have test fit both, and if my wife will ever let me build an 8, it will have a ShowPlanes canopy.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
|

12-10-2013, 09:45 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 877
|
|
My wife loves riding in the back of the -8. She brings the iPad, pillow, blanket, purse, two water bottles, snacks, etc. etc. and finds plenty of space for it all. The kids are happy with it too. My daughter and I flew to Oshkosh this year from Phoenix with one fuel stop (I have aux tanks in the wingtips). She had a great time back there just playing games on the iPad and chatting with me for hours. I kept asking her if she needed to stop for a potty break. "Nope--keep going Daddy, this is fun." It's really a very comfortable cross country airplane for both front and backseats.
__________________
Karl, Goodyear, Arizona (KGYR) ATP, CFII
RV-14A, Flying
Extra 330LX, Flying
RV-8, Sold
RV-7, Sold
Bearhawk 4-Place, Sold
=VAF= donor 2020
|

12-10-2013, 09:52 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Stilwell, KS
Posts: 1,096
|
|
When we flew XC in our -8 (sadly sold but not forgotten) I looped my purse strap around the welded front seat support crossbar, and it sat nicely between the side of the fuselage and my leg. I put a spring-loaded D-clip on one end of the strap so I could easily detach it from the purse and loop it around the bar. It held my camera, phone, music player (now all one gadget), wallet, water, gloves, etc, and when we got to where we were going, I just unclipped it and away we went. We didn't have the plane long enough for me to fly it from the front seat, but I loved having the back seat all to myself when we went places. My only complaint was that I froze my butt off in the winter. GET HEATED SEATS!!!
And if your wife likes to help with the flying, get a GRT EFIS and she can tune the radios and enter/edit flight plans from the back seat via Android. 
__________________
Katie Bosman
RV-3B sold, but flying!
Next project: ???
Builders gonna build...
Last edited by KatieB : 12-10-2013 at 10:04 AM.
|

12-10-2013, 10:39 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Nevada --- A34
Posts: 1,464
|
|
The -14 is a perfect match...
...for your mission, as you express it. But, of course, there are no used ones to buy and it is unlikely that you could be in one next year. The -10 would be a great xc machine for you, but they are expensive. So, that's may make the -8 your best match.
However, do not underestimate Katie's comment on how cold the backseat of the -8 is in winter. Unless someone has made significant modifications (and those -8s are out there but not the norm), you will NOT likely want to subject your wife to a long, Christmas-time x-c. Planes built following factory plans are frickin' frigid back there in winter. Nor does the average -8 on the market have the modifications described by Dan or even pockets on the side as many describe. You can build/re-build these modifications into a plane but, otherwise, you will have to shop carefully and patiently.
And, I definitely endorse the idea of ensuring that you both get into an -8 before pulling the trigger. I find the space in back to be tight with even just an iPad (hence my gift list request for a mini-iPad!). Of course, I won't give up the stick and the ability to take the controls, if ever needed.
__________________
Louise Hose, Editor of The Homebuilder's Portal by KITPLANES
RV3B, NX13PL "Tsamsiyu" co-builder, TMXIO-320, test platform Legacy G3X/TruTrak avionics suite
RV-6 ?Mikey? (purchased flying) ? Garmin test platform (G3X Touch, GS28 autopilot servos, GTN650 GPS/Nav/Comm,
GNC255 Nav/Com, GA240 audio panel)
RV8, N188PD "Valkyrie" (by marriage)
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:21 AM.
|