Jamie
Well Known Member
Lately I have been able to get rides in lots of other airplanes. A few months ago I got a ride in a Sonex and a Midget Mustang. Both are interesting airplanes and the Midget Mustang was the closest in performance and handling to an RV that I have seen. More recently I have ridden in a Skylane, a C-210, an A-36, etc.
This past weekend I got a ride in my hangar partner's new Pitts Model 12 (fun airplane). If you were at Sun-n-fun this year, this is one of the airplanes circling the jumpers with the flags at the opening of the airshow.
The Pitts in interesting. Of course the engine spins counter-clockwise which necessitates left rudder in a climb, etc. It is super cool when that 360hp beast is fired up and you can feel/hear each cylinder pulse at idle.
I found the loops to be much easier in the Pitts than in the RV because the Pitts doesn't build speed nearly as quickly as the RV on the downline. Visibility from the front seat in the Pitts is poor, but I'd imagine it would be better from the rear seat. That big radial up front doesn't leave much room for a windscreen. I found the airplane needed a lot of attention to the rudder just to keep the airplane coordinated in straight and level flight. On the ground, Taxi visibility is almost non-existent.
I guess my point is that these rides have just reinforced in my mind how fantastic the RVs really are. Every airplane is designed with some sort of mission in mind, and I think the RV may just be the most practical weekend flyer there is due to Van's "Total Performance" concept. Unlike a Pitts, an RV will not win an unlimited acro contest, but my RV might just be the perfect airplane for me.
This past weekend I got a ride in my hangar partner's new Pitts Model 12 (fun airplane). If you were at Sun-n-fun this year, this is one of the airplanes circling the jumpers with the flags at the opening of the airshow.
The Pitts in interesting. Of course the engine spins counter-clockwise which necessitates left rudder in a climb, etc. It is super cool when that 360hp beast is fired up and you can feel/hear each cylinder pulse at idle.
I found the loops to be much easier in the Pitts than in the RV because the Pitts doesn't build speed nearly as quickly as the RV on the downline. Visibility from the front seat in the Pitts is poor, but I'd imagine it would be better from the rear seat. That big radial up front doesn't leave much room for a windscreen. I found the airplane needed a lot of attention to the rudder just to keep the airplane coordinated in straight and level flight. On the ground, Taxi visibility is almost non-existent.
I guess my point is that these rides have just reinforced in my mind how fantastic the RVs really are. Every airplane is designed with some sort of mission in mind, and I think the RV may just be the most practical weekend flyer there is due to Van's "Total Performance" concept. Unlike a Pitts, an RV will not win an unlimited acro contest, but my RV might just be the perfect airplane for me.