F4 Rocket Lite

[dan]

I read somewhere that the F1-EVO has some pitch handling/feel issues. Were those resolved?

[Tom Martin]

I have 120 hours on my EVO F1 and I could not be happier with the wing. The lower stall rate is welcome and the stability in the air makes it a much improved cross country aircraft. Although the roll rate is not as fast as the sport wing it is more than adequate for type of aerobatics that most RV owners are used to. The pitch issues that I hear about are not really problems but more a different feel. I can carry the same load as I did with my standard, or sport, wing. The difference between the two wings is that there is a greater stick pressure difference loaded vs solo with the EVO than with the sport.
Here is the clincher for me. I have been flying the standard airfoil for twelve years, RVs, and numerous rockets. My wife flew more with me last year in the EVO than she had in all of my previous twenty five years of flight. She likes it so much that we are planning a 1700nm cross country flight to the west coast this summer. My airplane is now our airplane and that makes expenses much easier to justify.
Having said all of that the F4 with the sport wing has the potential to give ther rocket feel and looks to many more pilots and I feel it will be a big winner.


More pictures of F1s, and a few more of mine, can be seen at http://www.teamrocketaircraft.com/gall/gallery.html

[TSwezey]

Now I see why somebody would sell their RV-4 and build one. Good thing there will be one 20 ft from my RV-10 when I get it done.

[RVAddict]

Tom,
I like your paint scheme! It's very similar to the one with "84" on it. I thought I would like having that scheme myself if I ever get to build one, but didn't want to copy someone else's idea. But it seems there are at least two with your scheme, do you know of any more???

Josh

[Tom Martin]

Josh
There are a few F1s with this style of paint and more to come. Actually it is not paint but different shades of primer. For me it works well as I like to modify my aircraft and this allows me to do so with out the worry about painted surfaces. Also it is really cheap but provides protection for the aluminium.

Tom Martin

[RVAddict]

Originally Posted by Tom Martin

Josh
<snip>There are a few F1s with this style of paint and more to come.<snip>

Tom Martin

Tom,
Does that mean you've got something like a frat brotherhood or what?

I noticed it was a flat or semi golss finish but didn't know it was primer. That makes it really easy to fix if you scratch it or something. Too cool!!!

[Skyhi]

The best of all worlds - an F4 - with looks, handling and economy.

I find myself strangely following Randy's path in the world of RV's, having owned and sold an excellent RV8. In the search for the perfect sports plane I am now building a single seat Twister which has great handling and flyability.



There is no doubt that the F1 Evo is in a different league to the 8 when it comes to looks, and if a new F4 can retain the style with performance and above all improve on the 8's handling, then it would be a winner.

I really hope that this project comes to fruition.

Nic

Originally Posted by randylervold

Aden (and Mark),

Sounds cool, count me as interested also. I've already built, flown, and sold an RV-8 even though I never did think the aesthetics were especially attractive. And I like to have something a bit different also. I like small, responsive, and cost-effective machines which is why I'm just finishing an RV-3B. No doubt I'll get the itch to start on something else once the -3 is flying and debugged and the F4 could be just the ticket, especially if the cost is right.

To my eye the F1 Rocket is the sexiest experimental in the sky, and I like the simplicity of the engine mount / gear leg combo. Also, I think the aft angled gear legs are more forgiving that the -8 legs. Good to hear the 4-cylinder would be hung forward thereby keeping the F1 rocket proportions, they're beautiful. As others have indicated though, for marketability purposes make sure it can take an IO-390.

It shouldn't be much of a conversion for Mark, most of the parts should be common with the F1. Let us know when we can order...

[osxuser]

I really think that the IO-390 and XP-400 are going to need to be included for development. I'm really excited about this too. About the differences:

If someone got into building an F4 and decided during construction to switch to an F1, what would be required besides the obvious engine mount, cowl and gear legs? Say this builder got a great deal on an IO-540.

This may be my second kit after I finish my -7. I was planning on a fire-breathing -3 or -4, but the F4 seems awesome.

Now comes the question I've been waiting to ask for awhile in this thread... What are the F2 and F3? A single seat and a Side-by-Side right?

[Aden Rich]

The F2 was a side by side Rocket. It looked like a RV-6 on roids. The design was sold to HPA which is now working on the M1 Speedcruiser. A RV-6 with the EVO wing and 260hp. They said the kit would be offered with different engines. I have heard nothing if they have actually produced any kits. Mark would know more than me on that one since I think they build the wings for the EVO Rocket. The F4 was for 4 cylinder, although Rocket Lite is kinda cool sounding. The F3 can be anything you want it to be. Aden.

[mark manda]

have I missed it? the word vibration on this thread? you guys with rockets, isn't that the number two reason for the Rocket? I know that's what John Harmon thinks, six cylinder smooth as silk, throttle back and not be tired when you get there.

reason one-- vertical take offs.