Dugaru
Well Known Member
Hi all --
I'm in the market for a used RV6-A, and would love some advice from the experts specific to finding good examples of this model. I've read the "Buying a Used RV" piece from Vans, and a few other articles, but wanted to really zero in on this specific plane.
As background to how I've ended up here bugging you all, I've got a little under 1,000 total PIC hours. After owning a Warrior for about 8 years, I've been partners in the past year in a taildragger Sportsman 2+2. It was built in their "Two Weeks to Taxi" program and we bought it used from the "builder." I love that plane. In addition to being a joy to fly, it also has aweome avionics (AFS 4500 & 3500, Garmin 530W, 430W, Vizion autopilot) that MORE than meet my "gentleman's IFR" needs. I was actually pretty happy with the steam gauges, S-Tec 30, and "classic" Garmin 430 in the Warrior.
Unfortunately, however, we're undergoing an amicable Sportsman-divorce because my partner (who owns 2/3) has to relocate due to work. Given the nature of the job change, which is a huge opportunity, I can't even get mad at him. Another Sportsman appears to be beyond my solo budget.
After doing some research, the RV6-A looks perfect for me. I'm already convinced that used experimentals can be a huge bargain for a bunch of reasons (the Sportsman certainly was). Two seats are all I need -- I almost never used the four seats in the Warrior. Some speed would certainly be nice, as the Warrior lacked in that department. And the other two-seat used experimentals available in quantity out there don't really appeal to me. For example, I've got a bit of Glasair time and it doesn't seem like a good plane to get old in, ingress/egress wise.
We flew the Sportsman for a while as a trike, and managed to shred a nosewheel pant, so I'm already used to some of the vagaries of castering nosegear. I think a trike RV makes sense for me, as (unlike my Sportsman partner) I fly a lot of cross country trips, at night and in gusty weather -- and I have only enough taildragger time to keep the insurance company happy. This was a solvable problem while I was splitting the Sportsman, because it was awesome in so many other ways, but if I'm going to own a plane solo, I figure I'd de-complicate my life.
Building really isn't an option, as I don't have enough time to build my own RV -- and in any event (another) buddy and I are already building a Zenith 801, at what can only be called a very leisurely pace, dictated by our various commitments.
So, enough about me, let's talk about solving my problems.
I know enough to be dangerous about buying and owning airplanes, including buying used experimentals. I'm reasonably confident I've found the right plane for my mission. As I launch myself out again into the world of used experimentals, what should I be on the lookout for specific to RV6-As? Any known problem areas, places where some builders tend to screw up, etc.? Any other aspects of the used RV market that I ought to know about?
Apologies for the lengthy post, and many thanks in advance for any help.
Cheers
Doug Garrou
W96 - New Kent County, VA
I'm in the market for a used RV6-A, and would love some advice from the experts specific to finding good examples of this model. I've read the "Buying a Used RV" piece from Vans, and a few other articles, but wanted to really zero in on this specific plane.
As background to how I've ended up here bugging you all, I've got a little under 1,000 total PIC hours. After owning a Warrior for about 8 years, I've been partners in the past year in a taildragger Sportsman 2+2. It was built in their "Two Weeks to Taxi" program and we bought it used from the "builder." I love that plane. In addition to being a joy to fly, it also has aweome avionics (AFS 4500 & 3500, Garmin 530W, 430W, Vizion autopilot) that MORE than meet my "gentleman's IFR" needs. I was actually pretty happy with the steam gauges, S-Tec 30, and "classic" Garmin 430 in the Warrior.
Unfortunately, however, we're undergoing an amicable Sportsman-divorce because my partner (who owns 2/3) has to relocate due to work. Given the nature of the job change, which is a huge opportunity, I can't even get mad at him. Another Sportsman appears to be beyond my solo budget.
After doing some research, the RV6-A looks perfect for me. I'm already convinced that used experimentals can be a huge bargain for a bunch of reasons (the Sportsman certainly was). Two seats are all I need -- I almost never used the four seats in the Warrior. Some speed would certainly be nice, as the Warrior lacked in that department. And the other two-seat used experimentals available in quantity out there don't really appeal to me. For example, I've got a bit of Glasair time and it doesn't seem like a good plane to get old in, ingress/egress wise.
We flew the Sportsman for a while as a trike, and managed to shred a nosewheel pant, so I'm already used to some of the vagaries of castering nosegear. I think a trike RV makes sense for me, as (unlike my Sportsman partner) I fly a lot of cross country trips, at night and in gusty weather -- and I have only enough taildragger time to keep the insurance company happy. This was a solvable problem while I was splitting the Sportsman, because it was awesome in so many other ways, but if I'm going to own a plane solo, I figure I'd de-complicate my life.
Building really isn't an option, as I don't have enough time to build my own RV -- and in any event (another) buddy and I are already building a Zenith 801, at what can only be called a very leisurely pace, dictated by our various commitments.
So, enough about me, let's talk about solving my problems.
Apologies for the lengthy post, and many thanks in advance for any help.
Cheers
Doug Garrou
W96 - New Kent County, VA