Saw my first RV!!

[RVAddict]

I pulled into the airport this afternoon at 13:00, 18:00 Zulu for my flight lesson and as I pull into the drive, I see a plane tied down on the other side of the tarmac, I instantly know it's an RV, and it's a tandem, probably a -4. I took my lesson and then checked it out. Sure enough, my very first close encounter of the RV kind. And a -4 to boot!!! Who could ask for more in one day?? To my dismay, the canopy was covered, and the owner was no where to be found I knew they were small, but good grief, I didn't realize the wingspan was so short!

To make a long and rambling story short, I LOVED it!! Wish the owner had been around so I might could have taken a peek inside and maybe sit in it to see if I'll even fit. I'm 6'4''. Oh well, maybe next time!

[n5lp]

I had seen and even ridden in RVs before I started building but during the building process I didn't see one for a long time.

When I went to Fort Worth to get a check-out ride with Mike Seager, the RV-6 was parked on the grass at Hicks near normal airplanes, and that was my reaction, boy is that thing small. I also though it looked really cool.

Being small and light is a lot of what makes them work so good, and after a while you don't notice the size at all.

I am reminded of what Richard Back said after flying his BD-5J for a while. He said his airplane seemed normal but other airplanes looked gigantic.

[Bob Axsom]

Please don't feel disappointed by the canopy cover. After you spend all of you free time, pay a large opportunity cost, borrow money any way you can to create a thing of beauty the takes years to complete, your RV is not something you take lightly. Many of us will never get the chance to do this again and we (well I anyway) tend to get a little paranoid when when someone approaches it. When I'm there I will gladly show the plane but the risk of mistreatment is very great and the cover is the first line of defense against casual interest damage, theft and the sun. Every time I leave the plane outside the cover is on it. When you get your's done I'm sure you will react in a similar manner.

Bob Axsom

[RVAddict]

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

Please don't feel disappointed by the canopy cover. After you spend all of you free time, pay a large opportunity cost, borrow money any way you can to create a thing of beauty the takes years to complete, your RV is not something you take lightly. Many of us will never get the chance to do this again and we (well I anyway) tend to get a little paranoid when when someone approaches it. When I'm there I will gladly show the plane but the risk of mistreatment is very great and the cover is the first line of defense against casual interest damage, theft and the sun. Every time I leave the plane outside the cover is on it. When you get your's done I'm sure you will react in a similar manner.

Bob Axsom

Bob,
You are dead on. I WILL act the same way. I wasn't complaining because he had the canopy cover on, only dissapointed b/c I couldn't check it out further. I understand your feelings 110% and I will be the same way!

N5lp,
Thats sounds great to me! RV's are normal, everything else is BIG!

[Rick S.]

Be warned Josh,

Seeing one and flying in one have two significantly different impacts on your wallet. Seeing one make you want one. (preview plans) ....After flying in one you HAVE to have one, (ordering each of the kits and accesories) which cost a lot more than wanting one.

[RVAddict]

Rick,
I allready wanted one, chances are though that I'll never ride in one until I buy/build one. I just ordered the RV story info thing from vans. I'm thinking the -8 preview plans are next!!!

[Captain Sacto]

I did my homework, and was pretty sure that the -7A was for me.

So, I took a bit of a chance, and started building the empenage, all while making a few polite requests to local RVators for a ride in anything RV. (Wx and a few other factors continually intervened.)

A few weeks back, I happened to be in Portland, so I stopped by Vans at Aurora, and got a nice tour of Van's first-class facility... and a "demo" ride in their -7A.

I was rewarded beyond my expectations. From the tour, I was able to ask several questions (like on subjects from the never-ending debates here. You know, tip up v. slider canopies, engine selection, primer stuff). And, the demo ride absolutely reinforced my -7A decision and gave me the famous "RV grin". The seating position, comfort and visibility were just as I had hoped. I can't recall flying an airplane as maneuverable and as nicely balanced on the controls.

As you might guess, I'm now building away with renewed vigor.

Regards all - -

Tom from Sacramento

[RVAddict]

First of all, it was unpainted, so I got to check out the metal and rivit work without paint. He had the top of the fuse from the back of the canopy aft primed on the top, but the sides, belly and wings were bare aluminum. The cowl and pants were painted as well as the intersection fairing on the emp. One other item that interested me was it had a gas cap WAAAAY out on the end of the wing. I found this to be odd, until I read the placard stamped on the gas cap. (1ooLL 9 US Gal) I then wised up and looked inboard on the wing and found the standard gas cap as well (16 Gal) so he had tip tanks too. I bet it'll go a lot farther than i'd care to ride at one time with that much fuel.

Wish I had a camera to take a picture of it. Gotta start carrying one everytime I go to the airport.

Overall, and I'm no expert mind you, the plane looked very well built, and very fast. I can see now why they go so fast on such a small engine, the airplane is small! This has really fired me up to build my own!!

[CNEJR]

I took my first ride in an RV6 in April of 2006 in a friend's who had just finished it. I was hooked after reviewing the GRT avionics, and also how it flew. I found an RV6 that was about at quick build stage up around Chicago, I had it inspected, bought it, and transported to Texas. I have worked on it an average of 6 hours a day, 6 days a week for nearly a year now. Everything has really gone well on it. I built this out of pocket and have gone first rate on everything (Garmin, GRT and Trutrak Avionics have set me back about $35k). I am getting close to completion.

My advice, don't ride or fly in one, unless you want to build one.

[mgomez]

Whatever you do, don't get a ride in an RV. It may sound free, but it'll cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Ask me how I know.