I get it now. I've always heard about the RV grin, and now I get it.
I'll try to keep this short. My dad bought a 1953 Cessna 170B when I was 14. He taught me and my brother to fly in it and it's been a part of the family for 15 years now. But they were ready for something faster and more economical. He was seriously considering something like a Cirrus. But, after growing up flying tail draggers, I felt very strongly against the Cirrus. Nothing against it, but it's just overpriced and boring. I told him about the RV-7. He started looking into it further and found that it's probably exactly what they are looking for.
So, he started searching the classifieds and found this thing within minutes from his house! What are the chances!
It's got an IO-360, 180 hp engine and full IFR. The previous owner did a fantastic job building it.
Fast forward a few weeks to yesterday. We wanted to get both airplanes up in the air and get some pictures, before the 170 is sold. Me in the 170, and my dad and my mom in the RV. Here are a couple of pics and a short video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkqe9USJKLo
So, after successfully not running into each other, my dad checked me out in the RV. I am so blown away at this airplane. It's truly an amazing airplane. The power on take off is something i have never felt. Full power, tail up, and off the ground accelerating towards 140 before I can even pull the nose up.
After getting the check out on what power settings to use, and how to advance the checklist on the PFD, it was time for some alone time. So, me in an RV-7, half tanks, cool day=some unreal performance! I took off, departed the pattern, climbed up to 3000 ft before the 170 would even be on a crosswind departure! First thing I thought was, "man, this thing covers some ground!" I pulled it back to 24 squared and was indicating 175 mph!
Anyway, time for some landings. One thing that my dad had to show me was how to slow thing thing down! It's a screamer! I was often doing 160 MPH in the pattern at 18". I'd get it down to about 110MPH by my base turn, and I started feeding in the flaps. Approach was at 90 or so. My landings were slow wheel landings, some of them 3 points. Anyway, one of my approaches, I was on base, still indicating 130. I was thinking it may be time for a go around. At that time, I saw a bunch of deer on the runway! Perfect! I pulled the prop back to about 2500 revs, and about 26". I did a beautiful low pass and hit 195 mph by the end of the runway!
I ended up flying almost .8 hrs and did about 6 landings. I just can't get over this airplane. And to think, it burns the same amount of fuel an hour as the 170, but the 170 only goes 115 mph on a good day!
I'm going to start saving my pennies.
Just thought I'd share my experience. I'm definitely a fan!
I do have one question about shock cooling. What's the rule? I know the book says something like 50 degrees of cylinder head temp per minute. But lets say you are doing 140 or so on a base to final. Can you chop the power, run the prop to max, get the flaps down, then come back in with the power without hurting anything? I know when doing aerobatics, you are often WOT, then throttle closed a lot. I've never done them before, but that's what I've seen watching YouTube videos.
I'm guessing it's only a problem with a hot engine then going to idle or low power settings for an extended period of time?
Thanks guys!
Steve
I'll try to keep this short. My dad bought a 1953 Cessna 170B when I was 14. He taught me and my brother to fly in it and it's been a part of the family for 15 years now. But they were ready for something faster and more economical. He was seriously considering something like a Cirrus. But, after growing up flying tail draggers, I felt very strongly against the Cirrus. Nothing against it, but it's just overpriced and boring. I told him about the RV-7. He started looking into it further and found that it's probably exactly what they are looking for.
So, he started searching the classifieds and found this thing within minutes from his house! What are the chances!
It's got an IO-360, 180 hp engine and full IFR. The previous owner did a fantastic job building it.
Fast forward a few weeks to yesterday. We wanted to get both airplanes up in the air and get some pictures, before the 170 is sold. Me in the 170, and my dad and my mom in the RV. Here are a couple of pics and a short video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkqe9USJKLo
So, after successfully not running into each other, my dad checked me out in the RV. I am so blown away at this airplane. It's truly an amazing airplane. The power on take off is something i have never felt. Full power, tail up, and off the ground accelerating towards 140 before I can even pull the nose up.
After getting the check out on what power settings to use, and how to advance the checklist on the PFD, it was time for some alone time. So, me in an RV-7, half tanks, cool day=some unreal performance! I took off, departed the pattern, climbed up to 3000 ft before the 170 would even be on a crosswind departure! First thing I thought was, "man, this thing covers some ground!" I pulled it back to 24 squared and was indicating 175 mph!
Anyway, time for some landings. One thing that my dad had to show me was how to slow thing thing down! It's a screamer! I was often doing 160 MPH in the pattern at 18". I'd get it down to about 110MPH by my base turn, and I started feeding in the flaps. Approach was at 90 or so. My landings were slow wheel landings, some of them 3 points. Anyway, one of my approaches, I was on base, still indicating 130. I was thinking it may be time for a go around. At that time, I saw a bunch of deer on the runway! Perfect! I pulled the prop back to about 2500 revs, and about 26". I did a beautiful low pass and hit 195 mph by the end of the runway!
I ended up flying almost .8 hrs and did about 6 landings. I just can't get over this airplane. And to think, it burns the same amount of fuel an hour as the 170, but the 170 only goes 115 mph on a good day!
I'm going to start saving my pennies.
Just thought I'd share my experience. I'm definitely a fan!
I do have one question about shock cooling. What's the rule? I know the book says something like 50 degrees of cylinder head temp per minute. But lets say you are doing 140 or so on a base to final. Can you chop the power, run the prop to max, get the flaps down, then come back in with the power without hurting anything? I know when doing aerobatics, you are often WOT, then throttle closed a lot. I've never done them before, but that's what I've seen watching YouTube videos.
I'm guessing it's only a problem with a hot engine then going to idle or low power settings for an extended period of time?
Thanks guys!
Steve
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