Another one leaves the nest!

SteinAir · #1 07-04-2011, 12:31 PM

Hi folks,

Most of you know we're not just avionics guys but also RV guys. I Thought you might like to see the latest bird to leave the nest here at the shop (RV9 Taildragger) that is owned by my dad/brother. Modeled after a young nephew's plastic toy, it's been nicknamed "The Clown Car", "Rubik's Cube", "Harelequin", etc.. but it won't be mistaken for anyone elses! Signed off last Saturday, we've already managed about 10 hours on it and adding more every day.

I tell ya, it's really quite fun blasting along at about the same speed as my RV6, but landing at the speed of a Citabria. Handles great on pavement and grass (where it's destined to spend most of it's life). Overall a great/fun plane and possibly my new favorite RV. I also have to say my first experience with the Catto prop is really good. SMOOTH and the plane gets off the ground every bit as fast as my C/S powered -6, just doesn't climb quite as fast, but top end speed appears to be around 192 mph (using GPS and Kevin H's spreadsheets).

Anyway, just wanted to share. This is my first set of hours in a -9 taildragger and I REALLY, REALLY LIKE this plane! ...and yes, the prop does have 3 different colored blades on it; and yes we drilled the canopy deck rails like we've done for years (we call it the SteinAir Machine Gun mod)!

Cheers,
Stein

Mike S · #2 07-04-2011, 01:08 PM

Stein, some kind of high visibility anti collision paint job??

Our son likes it "thats cool"

I will withhold my wife's comments.....

So tell us about the panel already.

tkatc · #3 07-04-2011, 01:14 PM

Looks like AFS? Do tell us about that panel!!

apkp777 · #4 07-04-2011, 01:18 PM

sweet! Another -9! Congrats. And yes, that's a unique paint scheme. I like it.

SteinAir · #5 07-04-2011, 01:39 PM

It's a very modest day/night VFR panel with 1 x AF3500 EFIS and 1 x AF3500 EM, an SL30 radio, Garmin txpdr, Garmin Aera 510 and PMA-3000 (for listening to the Ipod). Nothing crazy, but overall just an excellent setup that makes for nice cruising. Interior is classic aero and very comfy. Overall I'm more than pleased with the performance and am falling in love with this thing - too bad we have to give it up in a few hours! It's just a "comfortable" airplane, especially at the lower end of the envelope. Slips like mad, flies fast, flies slow and handles like an RV....plus with the little wheel on the back end, you can go bombing in and out of little grass strips to really take advantage of the performance the -9 has to offer.

Cheers,
Stein

tkatc · #6 07-04-2011, 02:16 PM

You have to give it up? You, as in SteinAir or you, as in your dad/brother have to part with it already?

I assume that is a Garmin 327 and the AmeriKing decoder? I have that set up but I am starting to suspect the Ameriking encoder isn't all that great. How do you like it?

petehowell · #7 07-04-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteinAir

Overall I'm more than pleased with the performance and am falling in love with this thing - too bad we have to give it up in a few hours! It's just a "comfortable" airplane, especially at the lower end of the envelope. Slips like mad, flies fast, flies slow and handles like an RV

Cheers,
Stein

See why I have 800 hours on Mine?!!!! No grass strip bombing for me - the -A model suits me fine(for now) It does slip very nice - express elevator down! They go XC on the cheap just fine, too!

Love the colors - my daughter said "Neato!"

Gary 40274 · #8 07-04-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteinAir

It's a very modest day/night VFR panel with 1 x AF3500 EFIS and 1 x AF3500 EM, an SL30 radio, Garmin txpdr, Garmin Aera 510 and PMA-3000 (for listening to the Ipod). Nothing crazy, but overall just an excellent setup that makes for nice cruising. Interior is classic aero and very comfy. Overall I'm more than pleased with the performance and am falling in love with this thing - too bad we have to give it up in a few hours! It's just a "comfortable" airplane, especially at the lower end of the envelope. Slips like mad, flies fast, flies slow and handles like an RV....plus with the little wheel on the back end, you can go bombing in and out of little grass strips to really take advantage of the performance the -9 has to offer.

Cheers,
Stein

After all the fun you had with My OP panel I though sure you would want one too!

Gary Specketer

AX-O · #9 07-04-2011, 02:54 PM

That plane reminds me of a car that was for sale in the 90s. Nice plane.

Frank Smidler · #10 07-04-2011, 03:03 PM

The colors reminds me of the time when I thought I would get my daughter involved in my aviation passion by letting her choose the colors for my new parachute gear bag. The result was she, a preteen at the time, tried to use every color for panels and piping she could get on it. It was not what I was looking for but I made a commitment so I ended up with a gear bag that everyone noticed and knew which one was mine.