Tandem vs. Side by side????

[Epsound]

Hello all.

My name is Evans and I am new to the sight. Tom at Vans (great guy) suggested I come to this sight during our Q&A about RV 8A/10 kits. As I was telling Tom, I am drawn to the tandem (specifically the 8A). I am the flyer in the family. However, my wife who is still coming to grips with flight period. She says it just not natural. When she does (at times) briefly accept that this is not going to 'go away' she argues that we need a four seater with good useful load capability. It might also be important to mention that the only time she went with me when I owned a C 150A was for cross country to visit family or somthing like that.

Now for the dilemma: As you all likely already know, the 8 is literally half the price of the 10. Mind you, its not the price I am looking at but it certainly matters. I am not a doctor or a lawyer if you get my drift. So, my perspective is that waiting to cover the expense of the 10 will take years just to get started with the first kit. On the other hand I could conceivably get into an 8 in half the time. She wants to sit next to me [quote] "so she can watch my face to see is something goes wrong" [end quote]. I could go out and get an 8 started tomorrow (in spirit). Neither she nor I have ever flown in a tandem. I have also read that 70% prefer side by side cockpits. The tandem looks exciting to and very cool...... and to me seems to be 'closer' to what I feel the experience should be like. I have suggested to her that I build the 8 and if later we want more capacity I can sell the 8 and use the proceeds to cover some of the expense of a 10. Not to mention that I would then have some decent experience.

I am throwing myself on the alter here in hopes that some of you might share your thoughts with me on the pros and cons of tandem verses side by side pits. I is probably useful to add that I am not asking for anyone to settle our 'dispute' over this matter. I am really trying feedback on something I know very little about.

Please feel free to be as generous with both positive and negatives. I will appreciate all of it.

Cheers

Evans.

[steveKs.]

My wife had concerns about tandem seating. I previously owned a RV6a and she was 'used' to that.
Now that she has gotten 'used' to the RV8 she likes her space back there.

I would be sensitive to the concerns of your wife but would not build a compromise to my dream.

I don't want to start a skirmish about nose vs tail but get some time in a conventional gear (taildragger) and then decide the configuration you want to build.

[jdrumm]

Hi,

I was more or less in the same situation as you. I've always really wanted an -8 but then I really liked the -10 as well, mainly for the reasons you mention: more useful load, ability to carry an extra passenger, etc. The more I thought about it though, I figured it would mainly be me flying solo most of the time, and an occasional trip with my wife. I came to the conclusion that the -10 will be about twice as expensive to build, and approximately double the operating costs (others correct me if I am wrong here)... So I thought I would be spending a lot more then I need for my "typical" mission.

When I showed the planes to my wife, she immediately said, "I'm not sitting in the back!". I eventually settled on the -7A. The side by side seating will be more fun for whoever I have along with me on flights, easier for them to get more involved, etc. Plus I like the baggage area right behind the seats. We have a small dog (Chihuahua) and we could easily fit her in a cage in the baggage area. Not sure where I could put her in an -8, beside on my wife's lap which doesn't sound like a good idea.

Yes, the -8 has two baggage compartments but they are not really accessible in flight (to the best of my knowledge). Even solo it's nice to have the room on the seat next to you for "stuff". I figured the -7A was the best compromise for me (although I will always be secretly jealous of the -8 pilots :-) ).

Anyway, not sure if this helps at all. The -10 certainly is a nice plane though. A friend of mine is building one and when I went to take a look at it, I was surprised how large it actually is in person.

Joe

[Epsound]

Thats a good point about having 'access' to your stuff during flight along and increased companionship feel of side by side. The 7 is something I will look further into now.

Is there anyone out there who has an 8 that can speak to cargo accessability, comfort, and companionship that Jdrumm has pointed out?

And further, any thoughts on building the 8 to move to a 10?

Thanks Jdrumm.

Cheers.

[Epsound]

Have you or your wife ever 'wished' that you had a side by side.

[frankh]

Seems to me that this is not just your decision...This is a significant chunk of change your going to drop on this hobby of yours and you both need to be bought into the decision.

You want an 8, she wants a 10..the halfway point is the 7..Actually I have a 7a.

That gets her the side by side seating which maybe just a placebo to you but to her it maybe the difference between life and death...My Wife likes access to full controls so she has at least a fighting chance if I croak.

The 7 (a) is very good airplane, sure is a few knots slower and won't roll quite as fast, but to my mind for cross country travel it offers better utility as the sandwiches are available in flight plus you get the bigger instrument panel and the Wife can hold the approach plate in front of your face for those SLIGHTLY stressful IFR moments near the ground.

Now yes there are those superhumans that are comfortable flying flying an 8 in IMC...I prefer to at least have the seat (passengers lap) next to me for working room.

If aerobatics are your thing and the roll rate is a concern have a look at my videos and ask yourself "if this is all this plane will do acro wise is it enough?"

www.youtube.com/user/frankhinde

If your coming from a C150 everyone of the stable will blow your mind..They are all twice as fast for about the same fuel consumption.

Purely personally you have really got to want an 8 or 10 to have one, whereas a 7 is a better all round airplane.

But be honest here...you want an 8 cus it looks cooler don't you...

Frank

[larryj]

First off, we all know this is all based on opinion; so nothing said is cast in stone. I have had a similar experience with the tandem / side-by-side / wife thing. I like tandem; period. I've flown both and sat in the back plenty; my personal conclusion is that I'd much rather sit in the back of a tandem than either right or left in a side-by-side. So when I began introducing my wife to the whole thing, I explained my feelings on the matter and started getting her rides in tandem aircraft. Then I bought a Decathlon for her to learn to fly in (OK, I get to fly it too) while I finish my Rocket. She is now just as into tandem as I am. I consider a major factor in choosing is to "build what you really want" .... to put this much time and effort into a compromise would be frustrating.

And this discussion is evidently taking place a lot. A new-pilot-friend is arranging for me to take his wife up in our Decathlon so she can become more educated about the realities of tandem aircraft. He probably prefers tandem and is going thru this same dilema.

[Ron Lee]

Reality is that most wives never fly. Get rides in an 8 and a 6 or 7 for both of you to see if that helps.

[Epsound]

lol.. You got me... I do think its cool. When I was a tot, I put together 1/48scale WWII fighter models. Yeah I fantasized alot and I think the tandem aspect of these speaks to that. Guess I need to grow up.

I'll check out your link.

Cheers

Evans

[Epsound]

I am going to use your point on learning the 'realities' of tandem as leverage. I hope to find some owners around the Colorado Springs area that would honor us with some air time in both. I think that might be a way to get her out of her 'head' about what it will be like. Ultimately, I would like to have an 8 and a 10. But I am not made of the money. The 8 would be for me and the 10 would cover the fam.

Thanks

Cheers.