New guy introduction with a couple questions

[Calvin25]

New guy introduction with a couple questions

Hello everyone, This will be my first post of many I hope. After considering it for a few
years I have decided the time is right to start the build of my plane. I ordered the info/dvd yesterday, I planed to order the empennage; but couldn?t hit the button because I was not
100% sure that was the kit I wanted.

The question is which RV to build???

Heart and soul wants a RV8 fast back
The loner in me wants a RV3
The lover in me wants a RV7a
My brain wants a RV8a

So far, heart and soul is winning the fight in my head.


(RV8 fastback) This is what makes my heart pump.

(RV3) Keep it simple and fun, but no friends or XC?

(RV7a) Give Girlfriend a magazine and put on a hat so she doesn?t have to look at my balding head. (back to tandems)

(RV8a) I asked a life long friend that got me into aviation long ago, advice on this choice.
He recommended I build an ?a? due to it being more manageable on adverse condition landings.


I have no tail dragger experience at all. I learned to fly in a C206 Station Air and my experience is very low at this time. I have about 100 hours on that plane. The plane
was sold about 3 years ago and I have not flown since then. I want to get back into it.

So I?m very green, but the way I see it is that I will have time to get up to date before this long term project is ready to fly.

I?m looking for something I can have more ?fun? in then the Station Air. More sport, less utility. I would like to do mild aerobatics and some XC.

90% of my flying will be just playing around the clouds and mountains, alone.

10% XC and friends.

So what do you think??

[cawmd82]

Wear a cap for your girlfriend, go by yourself if you choose.

8 or 8a.??....may be a tougher choice but at least you cannot go wrong.

For sure the 8a will be easier to get ahold of. The 8 is docile enough with decent training.....

[gvgoff99]

Originally Posted by Calvin25

I?m looking for something I can have more ?fun? in then the Station Air. More sport, less utility. I would like to do mild aerobatics and some XC.

90% of my flying will be just playing around the clouds and mountains, alone.

10% XC and friends.

So what do you think??

I think that you have already answered your own question.
I have an RV-6a and wanted to go with the RV-8 or 8a. My wife wanted the side by side and I love her a lot. She also was very supportive in the entire venture.
That being said I can also say that I am with her about 10% of my flying time and still look at the 8's with some longing. I really like the idea of flying on the centerline and being able to have equal views out each side. So the 8 or 8a would still be my choice. It also has more elbow room for each occupant.
You will need to decide on nose vs tail wheel. The conventional gear (tail draggers) are pretty easy to land and do look sleeker. Still you don't suffer any big performance penalty with one over the other. Insurance will be higher at first with the "a" because of your low tail dragger time. You may want to check on that to see if it is a factor of any concern (probably not with a check out).
Good luck!

[Transporter]

Practical considerations aside, what's going to keep you motivated every day during the build?

In other words, what do you want to look at when you open the door and roll up your sleeves?


Mike

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by gvgoff99

I have an RV-6a and wanted to go with the RV-8 or 8a. My wife wanted the side by side and I love her a lot. She also was very supportive in the entire venture.
That being said I can also say that I am with her about 10% of my flying time and still look at the 8's with some longing.

The P-51D Mustang is my favorite aircraft of all time, and the same for my wife. We both love the Reno air races! And obviously, the "8" comes the closest to being a mini P-51 with the proper paint scheme.

However, my wife also fly's about 90% of my flight time. It's always been that way. And because of that, I much prefer the side by side. We did years on a motorcycle, and I'm not particularly fond of having someone sitting behind.

L.Adamson --- RV6A -- painted like a P-51 anyway

[RV7Guy]

Congrats on your decision to build. You won't be disappointed. Just my opinion but you can't go wrong with a 7(a). You will have more baggage room and the cozy feeling with the significant other next to you. Performance is just about a wash with the 8 with a slight edge.

Remember the tail group is the same for the 7 and 8, so you've got some time to decide. Don't worry about the tail time. I had none when I built mine. I've got 400 + hours of tail time now and don't think I could build nose wheeled RV. Well, maybe a 10.

Let me know if you want to go for a ride. I'm at Stellar Airpark and will be happy to give you a ride in my 7. Real email ktlkrn@cox.net

[kevinh]

Originally Posted by RV7Guy

Remember the tail group is the same for the 7 and 8, so you've go some time to decide.

Are you sure that's true? I thought the horizontal stab was different. I could be wrong though.

[qiutong]

Originally Posted by kevinh

Are you sure that's true? I thought the horizontal stab was different. I could be wrong though.

I just finished my -7 tail. They are the same kit, but if you're building a -7, you have to trim some of the flange off of the HS-702 foward spar. If you're building the -8, then you leave the flange there.

Brad

[Mike S]

Hey Calvin, welcome to the Force.

You have defiantly come to the right place.

Good advice in the above posts, I would take Darwin up on his offer if I were you.

[qiutong]

Back to the topic, I'll put my two cents in. I chose the -7 so that someday when I teach my kids to fly, I can look into their faces and see if they really understand what it is that I'm teaching them. My wife(the Boss) also flies with me regularly and prefers the side-by-side seats, and if I built the -8 I wouldn't get to make the tip-up vs. slider decision!