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Vansconvert

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I am writing a pilot operating handbook for the 14a I purchased. This has the original style IO-390, not the more powerful engine Vans now offers.
I know the 14 is a bit faster using the latest and greatest engine. What I need are the top speeds and cruise speeds at the different power settings for the original IO-390. Vans website lists the speeds for the newest version.
If anyone has a brochure on the 14A from back in the day, they would be listed on that.
Thanks much.
 
As far as I understand it, those details need to be done for each plane during the phase one as each plane can be slightly different based on weight, CG and other factors in the build. One may have more drag due to modifications or build quality or built extra light. If you are aiming to have accurate info for your PHB, then maybe it is best to gather the info if it was not done or documented during phase one.
 
Vansconvert said:
I am writing a pilot operating handbook for the 14a I purchased. This has the original style IO-390, not the more powerful engine Vans now offers.
I know the 14 is a bit faster using the latest and greatest engine. What I need are the top speeds and cruise speeds at the different power settings for the original IO-390. Vans website lists the speeds for the newest version.
If anyone has a brochure on the 14A from back in the day, they would be listed on that.
Thanks much.
Click to expand...
Here ya go. This is cut and pasted out of the original RV-14/14A brochure. Note that as stated above, the RV-14 had/has a 200 hp engine in it.

Original RV-14 Specs.jpg

Fred
 
Vansconvert said:
I am writing a pilot operating handbook for the 14a I purchased. This has the original style IO-390, not the more powerful engine Vans now offers.
I know the 14 is a bit faster using the latest and greatest engine. What I need are the top speeds and cruise speeds at the different power settings for the original IO-390. Vans website lists the speeds for the newest version.
If anyone has a brochure on the 14A from back in the day, they would be listed on that.
Thanks much.
Click to expand...
I would encourage you to purchase the EAA Test Book and go through the tests. As Mehrdad Mehranpour ( Bavafa) mentioned, each is unique. Performing the tests will give you all the data needed to develop a really good POH specific to your airplane. Plus you may have fun!
 
This is good advice- I was planning to steal numbers for my RV8 POH, but every airplane is a little different. Specifically engine and prop combos. There's a good kit planes article on figuring out climb / descent speeds. A good excuse to go fly and get to know your airplane a little better. Then you can take the data and crunch numbers, make spreadsheets and graphs on the couch when you're bored.
 
I don't have the link here, but one builder updated his RV-14A IO-390 from the original spec to the latest "more powerful" IO-390 configuration. Net performance delta: zero. No change in cruise speeds or climb rates.
 
F18Sailor said:
I don't have the link here, but one builder updated his RV-14A IO-390 from the original spec to the latest "more powerful" IO-390 configuration. Net performance delta: zero. No change in cruise speeds or climb rates.
Click to expand...
It seems that means only one of two things is possible....

The person you are referring to didn't have the ability to complete very comprehensive / detailed testing (assuming they did any... vs it just didn't seem any faster).

or

Van's aircraft is lying.

I can personally vouch for the second one not being true because I have flown the prototype (N214VA) extensively in both engine configurations during flight testing and traveling cross country, and some of the posted performance data was from test flights I made (the take off and landing distances for the 215HP configuration at light weight, are two that come to mind).
 
Simply stated- Flight Test, find your aircraft's real numbers, learn your plane through experiencing (learning) it. Write a POH of Fact, not assumed presumed unconfirmed data that looks good but is fiction.
 
F18Sailor said:
I don't have the link here, but one builder updated his RV-14A IO-390 from the original spec to the latest "more powerful" IO-390 configuration. Net performance delta: zero. change in cruise speeds or climb rates.
Click to expand...
I do have the link and yes, he did not see any performance different and no his data and data gathering methods are excellent. Review and decide for yourself.

E's Van's RV-14A

A blog about building a Van's Aircraft RV-14A, RV-14 and RV14.
rv-14a.blogspot.com rv-14a.blogspot.com

This is the engine mod he performed:

rv-14a.blogspot.com

Modifications: IO-390-A3B6 to -C3B6 (-EXP119) Conversion.

A blog about building a Van's Aircraft RV-14A, RV-14 and RV14.
rv-14a.blogspot.com rv-14a.blogspot.com
 
That is the blog I recalled reading. The one issue I noted is E's ramp flap wouldn't stay fully closed. That could be worth a couple knots in cruise.
 
Ralph Inkster said:
Simply stated- Flight Test, find your aircraft's real numbers, learn your plane through experiencing (learning) it. Write a POH of Fact, not assumed presumed unconfirmed data that looks good but is ficti
Click to expand...
Ok. Any suggestions on how to determine never exceed speed, maximum flap extension speed, maneuvering speed? I think I'll go with the factory numbers for those.
 
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