I own an RV6A. I previously flew, in order, a Piper Cherokee, and a Vans RV-9A. I have found all three birds to be quite docile. In particular, none of them get you unexpectedly into a stall. The 6A is a little more finicky in a stall with respect to wing drop, but because it gets so quickly out of a stall, it's not a big issue. with the RV6A going into slow flight around 90knots, compared to the Piper around 70 knots, it is more pleasant to fly the RV6A faster in the pattern, but it's not terrible. after the call to tower downwind, it's not like one is terribly busy. flying a little wider pattern gives one more time if one needs more.
so, none of the above seems to point to making the Vans RV6A a terrible airplane to get started learning flying compared to the Piper IMHO. a little big harder, due to speed but really not much. Very suitable.
the one aspect that I can see makes the Piper a better learning aircraft is that it has a more robust landing gear, especially the front wheel. I have the antisplat modification, which I hope makes it a little safer.
now, I want to teach my teenager how to fly in my own airplane, rather than a rental and then transition. Are there (potentially temporary) modifications to the front leg that make it more robust, even slowing down the airplane? what is the specific weak point on the front gear and can it be made more robust? would it make sense / be possible to weld on a support that is not too heavy to have too material an impact on the balance and strengthens the leg? (pilots landing a lot on soft fields may have thought more about it.)
or is it simply a terrible idea to use the vans as a personal trainer?
so, none of the above seems to point to making the Vans RV6A a terrible airplane to get started learning flying compared to the Piper IMHO. a little big harder, due to speed but really not much. Very suitable.
the one aspect that I can see makes the Piper a better learning aircraft is that it has a more robust landing gear, especially the front wheel. I have the antisplat modification, which I hope makes it a little safer.
now, I want to teach my teenager how to fly in my own airplane, rather than a rental and then transition. Are there (potentially temporary) modifications to the front leg that make it more robust, even slowing down the airplane? what is the specific weak point on the front gear and can it be made more robust? would it make sense / be possible to weld on a support that is not too heavy to have too material an impact on the balance and strengthens the leg? (pilots landing a lot on soft fields may have thought more about it.)
or is it simply a terrible idea to use the vans as a personal trainer?