Thanks Scott. Have been doing a bit of research on the 4 and apart from the tight cockpit (am 6ft) I don't see too many issues. I'd like an 8 but by all accounts other than it being larger there isn't a lot in it. I would prefer a CS prop with 160HP but a few I have chatted to say the FP prop is a better combo, wondering what others in here think of this? I like the tandem seating, not into the 6 or 7's especially the A versions, might as well buy a Cherokee...lolol
I'm down under so choice are limited here, there are a few 4's FP on the market but rarely see a CS version. Most that are for sale are 1990-2000 models varying between 400hrs -1400+hrs, some are getting long in the tooth
Here are the features I like about my 4. It has 180 HP, Hartzell CS blended airfoil prop, James wheel fairings, and on a standard day it will do 185 KTAS. The 4 just does a lot for a little. I'm happy!
Have you ever thought of building one? I built mine to what I wanted- roll bar back 2", 200hp, and a whirlwind 3 blade prop. It's relatively light, if I'm light it can do 4,000 rpm on take off, I enter a tight downwind at 150 kts pull the power and make a sweeping 180 turn to the runway and always make the first taxiway.
Absolutely amazing performance.
4000RPM? Wow that's some race engine you have.............
In the states you can set to whatever you want as the builder. The FAA fought me on it, and they actually called Vans, and Vans said "no problem ". The only reason they haven't upped the weight is because they would have to go retest everything for a kit that doesn't sell as well as it used to.
The FAA was trying to force me to list it at 1500#. The FAA spoke to someone at Vans, and after that conversation agreed to the higher gross weight. The FAA inspector relayed the pertinent parts (not a problem, and not going to certify a higher weight because it would cost money on a kit not selling enough to justify) of the conversation to me, which more than likely was an off the record conversation. One of my arguments was Jon Johansson (spelling? Round the world flight), with takeoff weight over 2,000#.
All I know is what he told me, and his (FAA) resistance evaporated after the call to Vans.