RV-9A Normal Cruise Speed

[Bayou Bert]

Getting ready to start on RV9A. Being a low time C150/152 pilot I figured
the 9A would fit the bill. Mission is a touring airplane for seeing the US.
So, with an IO320..FP..slightly below gross at 8 to 10K what is a good
average cruise at 75%? I know what the specs show just would like to
know how close to real world numbers.
I live near Baton Rouge, so to throw out a trip, say to Denver...1300 miles,
should I be able to beat the airlines, avg 10 hrs one way with TSA and 1200.00 for 2 people RT.

[RV10inOz]

Ahhh a resident of Red Sticks Louisiana!!!

The Vans numbers are always on the money.

here is a link to an RV9A that I know to be reasonably accurate, usual tolerences apply.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...hlight=eclipse

Go for the IO320, and tune the injectors.

These things are awesome performers, sans aerobatics, they are excellent value and great fun!

[tc1234c]

Originally Posted by Bayou Bert

Getting ready to start on RV9A. Being a low time C150/152 pilot I figured
the 9A would fit the bill. Mission is a touring airplane for seeing the US.
So, with an IO320..FP..slightly below gross at 8 to 10K what is a good
average cruise at 75%? I know what the specs show just would like to
know how close to real world numbers.
I live near Baton Rouge, so to throw out a trip, say to Denver...1300 miles,
should I be able to beat the airlines, avg 10 hrs one way with TSA and 1200.00 for 2 people RT.

I usually fly below 65% power in cruise. I file at 140 kts. I made a time/range chart as a motivator for myself. I just shifted the center to Baton Rouge. Below is the chart for you. Each ring is one hour of flight. My rule of thumb to compare driving/RV/airline travel time is to use the ratio: 9/3/1. Flying RV you need to add travel to the airport, preflight and rest/fuel stop. Flying commercial needs to add trip to the airport, security check, and boarding time.


Microsoft Streets and Trips

[terrykohler]

Bert:
I have an O320 in my 9A, so I can't speak specifically about the performance of the injected version. On mine, the manual says full throttle at 9,000 and 10,000 will yield 73.5 and 70.8 per cent respectively. That said, I normally cruise in the 8,000-10,000 range at 2450 RPM (just short of WOT). My TAS at that setting is in the range of 151-154 knots at gross. It's a great traveling machine(and a fine instrument platform - if you plan to continue to expand your horizons).
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP

[RV6_flyer]

The answer has several variables. One constant speed prop or fixed pitch, another is the position of the mixture or how much fuel you want to burn.

I have over 2,600 hours over the past 15-years on my 320 powered constant speed prop RV-6. Do not let anyone tell you that the top or cruise speed on the -9(A) is less than the -6(A) at the same power. Yes the slow speed of the -9(A) is lower.

Turning 2,300 RPM at WOT will yield 150 KTAS at a lean mixture and fuel burn of 7 GPH. Turning the mixture in to a rich mixture will give you 160 KTAS at 8.5 GPH. Only change is the mixture setting and that changes the fuel burn.

For me, 1.5 GPH is not worth the extra speed on a normal Cross-Country flight. Now when I am I am in a hurry (that is almost never) burn the extra fuel and get to where you are going a few minutes (yes just a few minutes) faster.

[bsacks05]

My numbers are about the same as the rest, O320 160hp wood prop, I plan my trips for 140kts at around 65% power. We now have 720hrs and six years together and I am still in awe of the machine.

[flyboy1963]

Originally Posted by terrykohler

Bert:
I have an O320 in my 9A, so I can't speak specifically about the performance of the injected version. On mine, the manual says full throttle at 9,000 and 10,000 will yield 73.5 and 70.8 per cent respectively. That said, I normally cruise in the 8,000-10,000 range at 2450 RPM (just short of WOT). My TAS at that setting is in the range of 151-154 knots at gross. It's a great traveling machine(and a fine instrument platform - if you plan to continue to expand your horizons).
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP

0-320 A ( 7.5:1) with FP sensenich 79 pitch. can't seem to get 2450, more like 2350, but yields 152 kts on the GPS @ WOT at 6,000 and over.

[pvalovich]

I normally fly at 150 KIAS true. Keep in mind that at econ fuel flows, for max range distances the most important tool in the airplane for us old guys is the Gatorade P bottle!

[rockwoodrv9]

Ted, nice chart. That is a great way of showing guys like me that are not finished building where we can go! I will make my own in photoshop and put the rings on a second layer so I can move it around. Thanks for the idea.

[sbalmos]

Excellent chart Ted. Another addition to my bookmarks. Now if I could only get Google Maps to overlay circles like those.