Cross Country in back seat of RV-8?

[Ironflight]

Of Course, I better agree with my GIB (Geologist in Back...)!

When I was building the -8, I was married to a woman who had no interest in flying, but might consider riding along if the destination was important to her. (The marriage ended before the airplane was finished, so this was OBE...) I knew that it would be a pilot's aircraft, with an occasional passenger. Having flown a side-by-side Grumman for many years, I was a bit tired of always being shoulder-challenged with a passenger aboard, and the extra width available in the tandem for each person is kind of nice.

However, with two pilots on board, it is hard to relegate one to the back seat. I know that if I were flying in the back of someone else's -8, I'd either want a nice display (ala' a 396) so I could participate as a crewmember...or a nice pillow so I could just sleep through the trip.

With Louise on board, we can add yet a 4th GPS to the airplane (her 396) so that she can be a part of the operation. But, as she says, the nicest thing is having her -6 available so that we can go side-by-side. The deciding factor on which goes on which trip right now comes down to weather - the Valkyrie is set up for solid IFR flying, and her -6 isn't quite there - yet!

So I agree - Louise has it just about right - the back seat of an -8 is a nice place to ride, but most pilots would rather be up front!

Paul

[Chino Tom]

My wife was (and still is) a bit concerned on how she will like the back of our not yet completed 8A. One of the reasons I picked the 8A as the second project was the increased room for both the pilot and passanger as opposed to the two of us in the -6, and the ability to balance a bigger load (than in the -6). I'm hopeful she will enjoy the new RV (she does have the added advantage of smacking the back of my head). Sitting on the centerline appeals to me and most of my flying is done solo. My 2 cents.