My RV-8 Fastback
Wow, what a great time I've had with this. I decided to build another RV after relunctantly selling my RV-6 and shortly thereafter learning that the Delta bankruptsy/pension plan termination may have some positive results for those of us left hanging. That's all I needed to hear and I called Van's that day to see what they had in stock. The fastback held some appeal, so I went with that. I modified my interior to make it more comfortable and user friendly for me and I'm really happy with it. My panel is 2 inches shorter in the middle. My stick is longer and 'bent' - actually welded with a couple 60 degree angles to give it a 2 1/2 inch aft offset to clear the behind the panel lateral support since it's taller and would interfere with that. I moved the throttle quadrant inboard 1 1/4 inches and made armrests (leather) that actually fit a normal human's arms and elbows. Visibility is amazing without the windshield frame. There is nothing blocking your view in any direction. My switch panel on the right is 1 1/2 inches wider too, so it houses a few more necessary items. My back seater has (her) own Garmin 296 so I should never hear "are we there yet?"- and her butt ought to be warm this winter too, thanks to the electrical 'stimulation'. The Garmin also has that instrument panel page so a real pilot in the back seat could probably fly for real (sort of ) from back there. Jon Thocker (RV expert) was there all along the way to consult with and was there for me when I first flew. I called him every day (still do) for help. What a resource and good friend. We have our own little RV Airforce at HAO (Butler County Regional) airport just north of Cincinnati. Eight RV-8's, one RV-10, one RV-9A, one RV-6, one RV-6A, one RV-7A, two RV-7's under construction, and two more RV-8's under construction. We don't have bombs, but we have smoke and we are formidable... or at least 'formationable'.... The VAF website is where we all meet up and have relationships before we actually ever meet. So the world is truly open to us in our own part of this RV universe. If any of you are in the HAO area, stop in and say hello. We'll have some 'Brats & Mets' and do some flying together.
Scott
RV-8 FLYING
HAO Hangar T-6E