Help Convince Me

[Jim P]

As so many have said before, build what you want to see when you open the hangar door. You'll spend 10 hours on a tailwheel transition, if that, and you'll never have any regrets if what you want is really a t/w! These tailwheel versions really are some of the most docile you can find.

Jim

[RV7Ron]

Originally Posted by java

Pick what revs your motor!

Well said, I am choosing a TD for a couple reasons: because thats what I dreamed about as a kid....purely emotional and I'm perfectly fine with that. Also, not to ruffle anyone's feathers but I think flying a TD is more of a challenge and will make me a better stick/rudder pilot.

Of course, this is all speculation at this point...I have zero hours in a TD, plan to get my endorsement this summer. At the end of the day...do what makes you happy...the rest is background noise.

[turbo]

and fly a TD. if you like it a lot go for it. get an endorsement and you are there!!!!!!!

[gvouga]

After flying my -7A for ~675hrs, I decided to convert it to a -7. I'm up to ~15hrs now and absolutely loving it. I should have built it this way from the beginning.

Why didn't I build a -7 from the beginning? I tried to use my engineer brain to justify all the pro's and con's. I was able to come up with more reasons to "be safe" and chose the -7A. I then talked to Van's customer support and they talked me out of converting to the -7 several times. They seem to prefer the A models (in general) over there as much as they seem to lean towards light weight VFR planes.

Bottom line: build what YOU want.
- Don't worry about experience in Tailwheels - You'll have plenty in the first couple months.

- Don't worry about insurance - it won't be much different after the first year.

- Don't worry about speed - we're talking a few kts... maybe. and that also highly depends on the build quality and equipment installed

All the other maintenance, visibility, rough runway concerns, etc. are really a toss up between the -7 and -7A. For every advantage one has, there is a disadvantage somewhere else. They are both great, safe designs that are equally easy to fly.

So what reason did I finally use to convert to the Tailwheel? "It's fun to fly and it looks really cool!"

Greg
RV-7

[panhandler1956]

As someone already mentioned, looks! Plus you won't have to give up your man-card! Just kiddin'! I like watching a can of worms too...

[mrblob]

I strongly agree with the advice to go get a tailwheel endorsement, then make your decision. I was completely hooked as soon as I started my training. Now I have a few hundred hours of tailwheel flying, and about 150 in my RV-7 with no regrets.

Paul