RV-7 for aerobatics/fun flights

[nmontei]

Hello, I'm currently building a Rv7 for aerobatics/fun flights, not a cross country cruiser. The wings are done along with tail and most of the fusalage. What I'm wondering is what you would do for a panel? I also have a IO360 that is 200hp and am currently thinking of putting a fixed pitch prop on it. (Ideas?). Keeping it light is pretty important I would think, so what would you guys/gals do if it was yours. Are their any other modifications you would make?

Thanks,
Nick

[RV7LongTrip]

Well, since no one else has jumped in here, here is my 2 cents worth. I agree you need to keep it light, but I would not consider putting a 200 HP engine in with a fix pitched prop. First, you don't want to ever over rev that engine while doing aerobatics, and second, you can bet once you get it built you will want to take some trips no matter how you feel now.

You can keep it light by limiting equipment, interior, paint, etc, but don't limit your total performance envelope.

Well, as I said, my 2 cents.

Dave

[Scott Will]

Coming from someone with a stick prop (a Catto), definitely go with the constant speed. You can keep it light by not splurging in other areas like interior and avionics. Keep a nice, simple panel and a spartan interior and I think you'll be there.

There are so many advantages to having the c/s that I am dreaming of that now. The other day I entered the pattern #2 in an overhead break with Kahuna's Super-8. This time I made sure I pulled the power to allllll the way idle and I still whizzed on by him at over 90 kts while he was down in the 70's. With that C/S that wouldn't happen.

[grjtucson]

You can fly VFR fine (and legal I believe) with:
A - Airspeed indicator
B - Altimeter
C - Compass
D - Tachometer
E - Oil pressure gauge
F - Oil temperature gauge
G - Fuel gauge for each tank.
H - ELT

That's pretty barren though. Assuming no IFR at all, here's what I'd do:

1. Glass engine monitor - GRT, Dynon, or AFS would be the three I'd choose from.
2. Airspeed
3. Altimeter
4. G-Meter
5. Homemade Lift Reserve Indicator (about $60 in mat'l)
6. Panel dock for handheld GPS, a Garmin 496 would be my choice.
7. Panel mounted radio, an SL-40 or Icom A-200, otherwise a dock for a handheld with ship's power/antenna/intercom.
8. Transponder, probably a Garmin
9. ELT

George

[RV8iator]

I've also dreamed of a nice constant speed prop but for the time being will stick with my fixed pitch. I have a prince carbon fiber p-tip on my -8. 200hp Lyc. A-1B and am pretty happy with it. It weighs less than 11 lbs and obviously is pretty much mx free. It's a good 25 lbs or more lighter than most c/s props.
I climb about 15-1800 fpm and cruise at 170kts. Not the best of either world but still quiet acceptable.
I looked into changing to a c/s prop and may do so one day. At this point after the fact, it will be about 10K to change if you consider prop, governor, cables,misc. parts like spinner, backing plate etc., plus I would have to fly off more time since it's a major mod. New Weight and Balance, no biggie, but still small hassle.
Now, all that said, if I was at that stage in building I would definitely go with a c/s prop.
Good luck on the project.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by grjtucson

You can fly VFR fine (and legal I believe) with:
A - Airspeed indicator
B - Altimeter
C - Compass
D - Tachometer
E - Oil pressure gauge
F - Oil temperature gauge
G - Fuel gauge for each tank.
H - ELT

That's pretty barren though. Assuming no IFR at all, here's what I'd do:

1. Glass engine monitor - GRT, Dynon, or AFS would be the three I'd choose from.
2. Airspeed
3. Altimeter
4. G-Meter
5. Homemade Lift Reserve Indicator (about $60 in mat'l)
6. Panel dock for handheld GPS, a Garmin 496 would be my choice.
7. Panel mounted radio, an SL-40 or Icom A-200, otherwise a dock for a handheld with ship's power/antenna/intercom.
8. Transponder, probably a Garmin
9. ELT

George

Go with the Dynon 180, you get all that stuff and more.
Then all you would have to add are the radio, transponder, ELT, and GPS. Easy and light.

[gmcjetpilot]

Aeerobatics = Constant speed prop (set it and forget, loop away)

Cross Country = Constant speed (more efficient by a few percent)

Bang for buck, value = Sensenich (but you are out of luck with a 200HP engine)

RV-7's are tail heavy and a Hartzell will be fine up front with the IO360.

jreekree: Has a good data point, but most 200HP IO360s fly with constant speed. A hartzell and gov is about $7,200, not $10k. A good carbon fixed prop is what now a days? $3000?

[dan]

Originally Posted by grjtucson

You can fly VFR fine (and legal I believe) with:
A - Airspeed indicator
B - Altimeter
C - Compass
D - Tachometer
E - Oil pressure gauge
F - Oil temperature gauge
G - Fuel gauge for each tank.
H - ELT

George,

You don't need any of that for VFR day. Last I checked, Part 91 min equipment regs apply only to standard category aircraft...

[mark manda]

you got me scrambling later on for my AIM. I thought you need that equipment.

[grjtucson]

Originally Posted by dan

Last I checked, Part 91 min equipment regs apply only to standard category aircraft...

You're totally right and quite obviously I wasn't thinking - not the first time that's happened

George