Geico266
Well Known Member
I'm part of a loose knit private e-mail group of -12 builders has become a pretty close bunch of yahoos. Someone in the group made a comment about how we all get along and how we all have the same plane, and this got me to thinking. (No comments from the peanut gallery )
Now I know there are RV build groups that are close, ... is the -12 unique? Unless you built it E-AB the engine and avionics are the same! One builder will find a feature that the others didn't know about, another will need help with this or that especially when it comes to avionics or the engine. They are exactly the same! With other RV's even guys and gals building the same plane will choose different radios, glass panel's, engines, steam gauges, etc. As soon as the different item is chosen that builder is now "different" and his plane cannot be used as a standards for others unless they used the same components. Does that makes sense?
I'm not saying the -12 is better, or the "end all of RV's" by any means. "It is, what it is", "the 8N Ford of RV's", but I find it interesting after flying 2 different -12's that they handle the same, start the same, the controls are the same, radios are the same, ect. I think they bring the owners just a tab closer.
The other observation is about performance of the -12. We certainly don't fly them for speed although 138 MPH is not bad, but why do that? I pull the throttle back and enjoy the view! Cruising around the neighborhood at 100 MPH burning 3.5 GPH is a great way to spend an hour or 3 at 500 - 1,000' AGL. The -12 gets us back to the pure joy of just flying! Just putting air under my butt! Why would I take a local flight and speed that up? Life is short, flying careers shorter, take your time and enjoy the moment.
Just some mindless observations before I go to "work".
Any other thoughts?
(BTW NU BEAT OU! .... Oh Yea, baby! )
Now I know there are RV build groups that are close, ... is the -12 unique? Unless you built it E-AB the engine and avionics are the same! One builder will find a feature that the others didn't know about, another will need help with this or that especially when it comes to avionics or the engine. They are exactly the same! With other RV's even guys and gals building the same plane will choose different radios, glass panel's, engines, steam gauges, etc. As soon as the different item is chosen that builder is now "different" and his plane cannot be used as a standards for others unless they used the same components. Does that makes sense?
I'm not saying the -12 is better, or the "end all of RV's" by any means. "It is, what it is", "the 8N Ford of RV's", but I find it interesting after flying 2 different -12's that they handle the same, start the same, the controls are the same, radios are the same, ect. I think they bring the owners just a tab closer.
The other observation is about performance of the -12. We certainly don't fly them for speed although 138 MPH is not bad, but why do that? I pull the throttle back and enjoy the view! Cruising around the neighborhood at 100 MPH burning 3.5 GPH is a great way to spend an hour or 3 at 500 - 1,000' AGL. The -12 gets us back to the pure joy of just flying! Just putting air under my butt! Why would I take a local flight and speed that up? Life is short, flying careers shorter, take your time and enjoy the moment.
Just some mindless observations before I go to "work".
Any other thoughts?
(BTW NU BEAT OU! .... Oh Yea, baby! )
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