It Flies!!

bonanza36 · #1 06-21-2006, 09:04 AM

My partners, Les, Mike and I recently completed work on our RV7A after 3 years of work. It has a 180hp Superior 360XP engine assembled by Aerosport Power, one LightSpeed, Precision fuel injection and an Aerocomposites prop. We have the Skytech light weight starter and a B&C 20 amp alternator running off the vacuum pad. Empty weight is 1151# with lots of sound insulation and a full interior and paint.

I flew N217RV for the first time last Thursday, June 19th. The first flight was by the book and the plane flies great. I think it may need a little right rudder trim, but otherwise no squawks.

Thanks to Mike, Les, Jerry, Colby, Dale, Dave, Gene, Tad, Ron, Steve, John and many others who helped with and shared in this wonderful experience. And thanks to Van's for a super airplane.

John Roberts
N217RV, Ser# 70671
Clover,SC
[IMG]

[/IMG]
Panel
[IMG]

[/IMG]

JohnR · #2 06-21-2006, 09:13 AM

Congratulations to your entire group John! Beautiful airplane you have there. Enjoy it!

DeltaRomeo · #3 06-21-2006, 09:13 AM

Congratulations John, Les and Mike!!! Welcome to the 'other half' of the hobby - flying!

Best,
Doug

pierre smith · #4 06-21-2006, 09:20 AM

May you have many, many enjoyable hours! Just wait 'til you depart from Sun-n-fun and outclimb a Mooney then pass a Comanche on your way to 4500 feet. I then kept pace with another a/c in the distance and he slooowly got closer and closer until I realized that it was a TWIN Comanche!! I could not believe that this little -6A was as fast as a Twin Co.

Congratulations guys,

rv8guy · #5 06-21-2006, 10:01 AM

Great! Join the happy crowd

RV7Guy · #6 06-21-2006, 10:03 PM

After the 40 you'll find how different you view traveling. No more traffic BS, stress from driving and much more time at your destination.

Great job and enjoy. You'll love it.

Michael Burbidge · #7 06-21-2006, 10:13 PM

Very nice. Is that a Vans canopy. It looks more tinted than others I've seen.

bonanza36 · #8 06-22-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mburbidg@adobe.com

Very nice. Is that a Vans canopy. It looks more tinted than others I've seen.

It's just a standard Van's canopy. The picture was made on an overcast day which may account for the darker appearance.

Rick6a · #9 06-22-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierre smith

May you have many, many enjoyable hours! Just wait 'til you depart from Sun-n-fun and outclimb a Mooney then pass a Comanche on your way to 4500 feet. I then kept pace with another a/c in the distance and he slooowly got closer and closer until I realized that it was a TWIN Comanche!! I could not believe that this little -6A was as fast as a Twin Co. Congratulations guys,

Your post makes me laugh. I knew the day would inevitably come when the resident V-tail Bonanza owner based at our small field and I would race. Sure enough, one day Randy was airborne at the same time as I and heard me report pattern entry from the north. He radioed " Hey Rick, if you have the time ...how about a speed comparison?" and suggested a rendezvous a few miles north of the field. After an immediate 180 on my part, we soon linked up. Wingtip to wingtip and when all was agreed, we both went to full throttle. I pulled away from him in mere moments. Soon enough, Randy asked..."Rick, what groundspeed is your GPS reporting?" I said " I'm showing 196 MPH." I then followed as matter-of-fact as I could muster with...."Randy, what is your groundspeed showing?" He replied "H'mm, mine's indicating 181 MPH." Barely containing myself, I said, "Randy, I only have a 160 HP engine." "Yea, I know it!" he said. "I guess those RV's really are fast after all."

Another time many months later, the resident Mooney owner was at altitude headed north to refuel at a nearby airport. I heard his report and initiated an intercept. After a time, I spotted him up ahead and radioed "Jack, this is Rick. I'm coming up from behind, on your right." "Whaaaaat?" he said. I quickly overtook him. Later that day in our pilots lounge, Jack told everybody within earshot "I saw him coming, and I saw him going." He then turned to me with his large and raised outstretched arms and laughingly gestured "I bow to your RV!"

Glasair34me · #10 06-22-2006, 04:08 PM

Rick, I just couldn't resist posting a reply to your post on Bonanza bashing. I have a Bonanza, an H-35 240 HP that burns 11.5 gph all day long and true, it only does about 180mph which isn't too bad. When I take a family trip, I pull out the Bonanza and pack it with more stuff than I can put in the trunk of a full size car and I put FOUR adults in it and to Vegas I go, or wherever.... Any time you want to race, I am ready and I will bet my entire life savings that I will win. You pick the place and we will both transport FOUR adults to wherever you want to go! Lets keep the legs down to about 2 hours though because it is going to take you THREE trips to get everyone there! I don't want to spend all day waiting for you!