The Journey: RV-6 or Citabria?

[WyoDave]

Please indulge me. I?m a low time pilot, about 90 hrs. While I?ve wanted to be a pilot since a child, I could never justify the cost/benefit ratio for my family Then, at the age of 46, I learned about RVs and I decided I couldn?t justify putting off getting my PPL any longer (midlife crisis?, whatever). I was at a point where finances and career schedule allowed it. I commuted 110 miles one way to Driggs, ID for most of my PPL (That?s another story and part of the cost of living in a sparsely populated area of Wyoming, my choice). Now I?ve got my PPL, but the 172 I trained in (or any other rental) is no longer available locally. I need to buy a plane!
Fun, easy, and ?economical? to fly are important parts of my mission. Flying with my 16 yr old son while he is still at home is a MUST in the mission. He is currently 6?-1?/210#, increasing daily. So I don?t think the 4 would work for me at this time. An 8 would be great, but we couldn?t build one before he moves on. And my current price range for a flying plane is $40k to $65K. Also, along with all that, I want something that will help me learn to be a better pilot. Longer cross country (WY to TX) would be an eventual but currently lower priority in the mission. In a few yrs I think building will fit into the journey. But not right now.
A 6 seems to fit the mission. But, at this stage of my flying experience, I wonder if I would be biting off more than I could chew? I?ve seen Citabrias mentioned a lot on this site. After readiing about them they seem like they might fit most of the mission and be a good learning step. I don?t currently have TD training and there is no training available locally. But I?ll find a way to get that done.
So, to sum it all up, I guess what I?m asking: is a Citabria a better first step, build/buy an RV later? Or should I jump right into an RV6?

[N941WR]

Dave,

It is all about training. Buy the six, pay the insurance, and get some good training.

The Citabria is a good plane but sloooowwww.

The -6 has a good reputation and will get across the state for the same fuel burn as a 150 HP Citabria +/-.

If you want the RV, get the RV and you will never look back.

[Tram]

I have a little time in a Citab and much more time in a 6..

We are currently in a situation similar to yours.. We are thinking about trading the 6 our for a Decathlon, but for different reasons than you mention..

I absolutely love the 6 and the more I fly it, the more I enjoy it.. I however, want something I can progress further into aerobatics with, and that is why we are looking into a Decathlon..

For your purposes, I would recommend you just go fly the things.. See which one you like better..

As far as your son, I am 6'3", 250 and I have zero problems getting in the 6..

[yakdriver]

I have a lot of time in both Citabrias and RVs. If you want a fun airplane that will really teach you how to fly. Buy a nice Citabria or Decathalon and get some good basic aerobatic/tailwheel training. The Decathalon is a lot faster than the Citabria and a better aerobatic mount. If you find the right one you can fly it a year or two and then sell it for about what you paid for it and go on to the RV. The RV on the other hand is a very docile taildragger with great handling characteristics and a great cross country machine. Although they are good aerobatic mounts they are not great aerobatic teaching machines as they get going very fast very quickly going downhill and don't allow the instructor to let you get very deep into a botched maneuver before taking it. So pick the plane to fulfill your mission. If you think you want to do cross country mostly by all means get the RV.

[gvgoff99]

If you are really thinking of ever flying from Wyoming to Texas the Citabrias would punish you in fuel and speed. It is quite possible to get a good RV-6A or RV-6 for $65,000 or less. The price posted is RARELY the price achieved. With fuel going up, unfortunately, the airplane industry will suffer which will probably translate into lower prices for aircraft. That is the good news for a buyer. The downside and one of the reasons people sell is that if you get insurance and a hanger the base cost is in the 4000 to 5000 range annually just to park it. Fuel burn is 8 or so gallons per hour. Fuel costs about $1.00/gal more than auto fuel (rough estimate). So for fuel in a year flying 100 hours is 800 gallons at $5.00/gal (conservative estimate) or $4000 in fuel. An RV will at least gobble up some real estate for that price!
My vote would be to take your son and look at some RV's. Look at the details. Fiberglass, is it well finished and are all the seams even? When you move the controls does anything bind or hit something it shouldn't? take someone that knows RV's to look with you if you don't feel comfortable doing it alone. Do all the radios and electronics work?
Another up side to an RV is that you may do the work yourself. The (annual) conditional inspection will need to be signed off by an A&P but other work may be done by you.
The RV's land as easily as a Cessna. You will need to get "transitional training" which amounts to getting one of the RV type instructors to give you training. http://www.rvtraining.com/ is one place to get friendly and excellent training an be "transitioned in two days for most pilots.
Best wishes for your decision. Though I vote RV that works for me. Any decision you make will be a good one.

[Tram]

Originally Posted by yakdriver

The RV on the other hand is a very docile taildragger with great handling characteristics and a great cross country machine. Although they are good aerobatic mounts they are not great aerobatic teaching machines as they get going very fast very quickly going downhill and don't allow the instructor to let you get very deep into a botched maneuver before taking it. So pick the plane to fulfill your mission. .

That is what we have found out.. These things build speed pretty aggressively in the down hill.. We are somewhat contemplating a 10 for going places and a Decathlon for playing...

[grantcarruthers]

I did fine in the back of my -4 for over an hour at 6'2" 200 FWIW. Just throwing it out there as they're less money than the -6 and I love the centerline seating. Try one out in your search.

And I'll definately say go RV if you expect to do any XC, with a headwind it's painful watching cars pass you at 8-10 gallons an hour as you'll experience in the Citabria.

[VETE76]

i am going thru the same senario. but i waited too long and my son has moved away. i just bought a citabria while the rv7 is slowly becoming an airplane. don't wait like i did. i pick up my citabria next week, but just had knee surgery friday and don't know when or if i will beable to fly it. so don't wait just do it!
but we did have fun in my 172 i sold last week. so it wasn't a total loss. my knee will be ok in a month or i will get a new one. then i will be able to fly again and i will fly down to my sons place and do some more flying if if if if if
nothing else happens.
don't wait! my wife bought me a t shirt that says DO IT! i thought it meant something else but........ lol
fred
leaving in 20 min to my eaa chapters flyin breakfast, driving a car.

[WyoDave]

Thanks for the response. Sounds like the only bad choice is not making a choice. I think for now I need to find a way to get TD instruction and the possibility of training in whatever plane I end up with. That, and figure out how I would get a plane home after buying one.
A 4 was mentioned. They look like a lot of bang for the buck and a lot of fun. And my wife fit's Smokey's description of the 120# GIB. However, I'm not confident my TD skills will progress fast enough to feel comfy with my 210-220 lb son in back of a 4. So far I have only seen 2 RVs in person: an 8 and a 6. I've done searches looking for a 4 around here. However, it doesn't look like there are any in WY at this time. I'ld like to at least sit in one before I pursue buying. I'll stumble across one sometime.

[Kyle Boatright]

If one of your intended missions is cross country, go with the RV. A buddy has a Decathlon and I've flown as his wingman on a couple of short cross country trips. He's running at cruise power, probably buring 8 gph at 100knots and my RV-6 is coasting along at 1700 RPM and 17" of manifold pressure, and I still need to do the occasional barrell roll or series of S turns to stay behind him. I have no idea what my power setting is on those flights, but I bet the engine is burning well under 5 gph. Push the RV up to 8 GPH and it goes 160 knots.

So, the RV will get you there faster and for less gas. In addition, the RV's performance advantage will let you climb up above the haze layer to get a good look at convective activity. This is extremely helpful in the summer when you are avoiding buildups.

And, with the RV, if you can't pick through convective stuff, the extra speed allows you to deviate around it.

Just my $0.02...