Will it be a 7 or an 8

184 Phil · #1 10-31-2005, 11:53 PM

Hi, Ive been lurking here for about a year now. I am going to start building my RV this Febuary (06). I had planned on building a 7 tail dragger. I have the study plans for it and have been drooling over pictures of it. But time is near to start and I want to build the right plane for me.
I race a sail boat that I just about built, I ride high performance motorcycles and ride high performance bicyles. Getting the drift here?
I know either plane would be considered high performance, but?
I dont fly, I have never piloted a plane and havn't flown in a small plane in about 30 years aside from helecoptors. But it's a life long dream so why not?
I never had a boat before this one and I've had her for 15 years now and have used her alot.
So some questions that come to my novice mind are:
The best part of flying for me so far, is looking out the window. Is there a big difference in this reagard?
Alot of my flying will be done solo. Is weight (my wieght) off center an issue with the seven?
What other handling differences will there be?
And any thing any body has to say.
Thanks
Phil

arffguy · #2 11-01-2005, 01:00 AM

You could probably search the archives for some of this info. I suggest you go to the areas airports, maybe Livermore, Half Moon Bay or San Carlos and try to hook up with some of these folks and sit in each model. You could try to hook up with the local EAA chapters or the Bay Area RV folks. But their link on Van's site goes to a very old website and their newsletter editor, I know, is now a member of my group since he moved up our way. In choosing any airplane you have to figure out what your typical "mission" or use would be. I would recommend taking a couple of flight lessons first also. Since you think you would fly solo all the time and list your preferences for high performance one person machines you would probably like an RV-8. But you can't go wrong either way really. The big key is to build the one you really want. Don't listen to all the "endless arguments" and let them sway your desires. Well, you should listen to the arguments for their valid points and then make up your own mind. Otherwise you won't have as much motivation to go out and work on the project. Don't ask me how I know this. All the RV's are awesome machines no matter how much we harass

each other here

Tony Partain · #3 11-01-2005, 01:15 AM

Phil
I raced motocross and street bikes. I won several championships on a mountain bike. Raced sailboats and have one national championship. Get the picture? Either RV will fit the bill! I have a RV7 because now I want the room of a side by side. I had a RV 4 and the centerline seating is the best for a personal fighter. But I feel the need for my lovely wife to enjoy the ride with me now. Stop drooling and start pounding rivets! Good Luck.

N941WR · #4 11-01-2005, 06:29 AM

Phil,

Both planes are outstanding and you can't go wrong by building either of them, IMHO.

One of the reasons I'm building a -9 is my wife would like to take flying lessons in it when we finish and after talking to some flight instructors they felt more comfortable giving lessons in a side-by-side aircraft rather than in a tandem. Not that you can't learn in a tandem, it is just easier in a SbS as the instructor can see the instruments, etc.

Just another point to think about.

Still, I think the -8 is so good looking!

flybill7 · #5 11-01-2005, 07:22 AM

I think it boils down to whether you fly mostly by yourself or if you plan on flying with passengers a lot. If passengers are an afterthought, then the 8 would be the way to go -- your own personal fighter plane. But for passengers, the side by side 7 is the way to go. The passenger has a better view, can see what you are doing, you can make eye contact with them, etc.

... Bill

Rick6a · #6 11-01-2005, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 184 Phil

............ I had planned on building a 7 tail dragger. I have the study plans for it and have been drooling over pictures of it. But time is near to start and I want to build the right plane for me....................Alot of my flying will be done solo.......................... any thing any body has to say.
Thanks Phil

Phil,
Whatever configuration RV you eventually decide upon will deliver in spades. This May past, I first flew my beautiful side-by-side RV-6A and its performance is outstanding and is a pure delight to fly. To date, I've given the first RV ride to 17 people and a real joy for me is the wow factor they invariably experience. That said, I fly solo probably 85% of the time and the empty seat next to me is usually occupied with little more than a cell phone and Flight Guide. I'm the type of person who enjoys the building process almost as much as flying. After having experienced the center-line perspective of a friend's Citabria, I knew the next airplane HAS to have among other things a side-wall mounted throttle quadrant and military type cockpit environment to satisfy the Walter Mitty fighter jock in me. So, now I am building the tandem RV-8A. Who say's you can't have it both ways? Realistically though, you are going to have to do some thoughtful soul searching and try as best you can to envision what type of flying best resonates with your inner self. Rest assured that when it comes to RV's, whatever configuration you choose to build will not dissappoint.

Rick Galati RV-6A "Darla" 92 hours
RV-8A empennage complete

Chino Tom · #7 11-01-2005, 08:05 AM

If you are planning to learn to fly in the RV you build, the -7 is the way to go.
Don't know of to many flight instructors that will teach you from the back seat of an -8. I have a flying -6 and am building a -8A. Just want something different. The side by side is nice even when your solo. Lots of room to put your stuff on the empty seat.

Chino Tom

jcoloccia · #8 11-01-2005, 08:40 AM

We finally decided on the 7 because we wanted enough room to take the dog with us (stupid reason, I know). I tried to talk her into just getting a smaller dog. That didn't go over too well.

Highflight · #9 11-01-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybill7

I think it boils down to whether you fly mostly by yourself or if you plan on flying with passengers a lot. If passengers are an afterthought, then the 8 would be the way to go -- your own personal fighter plane. But for passengers, the side by side 7 is the way to go. The passenger has a better view, can see what you are doing, you can make eye contact with them, etc.

... Bill

With regard to side by side passengers, note that the interior width of the RV7/A is just a smidgeon more roomy (at the shoulders) than a Bonanza A-36.

Aren't factoids great!

dan · #10 11-01-2005, 09:53 AM

Two weekends ago I flew IFR with another RV pilot in my right seat. It was a pleasure being able to say, "here, hold this," and hand him stuff. Or, "pass me that approach plate," or whatever. And when I don't have a passenger, I have a wide open spot to keep my Jepp book, the AirMap book, cooler full of beer (j/k), whatever. Having the width makes it easier for me, personally.

Another thing is -- when just out having fun, I like to fly hard. Many of my passengers enjoy this kind of flying. But everybody has their limits. I like being able to detect that peripherally -- picking up on body language that says, "Hey, even though I just told you I feel absolutely fine, I'm lying." I like being able to relate to my passengers visually. Body language is everything when you're trying to keep your passenger calm and happy.

I would LOVE to fly an RV-8 or Rocket. I believe it has much better head and shoulder room than my -7 does when I have a passenger next to me. But overall the best choice for me was side-by-side because of the additional room for **** (you could argue...cut down on ****) and being able to see my passenger better (you could argue...fly solo or don't fly hard with pax). Let your predominant mission dictate.

)_( Dan
RV-7 N714D
http://www.rvproject.com