Allan N. Spreen
I'm New Here
Like so many others I need help in the TD/Tri-Gear debate. I don't want to make a $60+k mistake, and I'm looking for serious TD pilots who will indulge me (I have no interest whatsoever in the 'real men fly...' issue).
My situation:
300-hour pilot with about 100 hours in TD's (low-performance Aeronca, Champ), seeking an efficient, fast, UTILITARIAN, non-retractable, serious cross-country bird for 1-2 people. After rejecting Mustang II and Pulsar-100, RV-7 or RV-7A is it. My flying would be minimal 'around-the-patch', sight-seeing, grass-strip, or dirt-strip stuff.
Why I want an RV-7 (vs 7A):
1. Faster (though not much);
2. Lighter (quite a few pounds);
3. Better looking (shouldn't be important, but it is);
4. Easier access to cabin, avoiding the weight, cost, labor, drag, and ugliness of the added step hanging out;
I was still about talked into a 7A until I hopped in the cabin of an RV-6A. The gear brackets and braces on the floor are an ABORTION!!! "It's okay," I was told, "your leg flexes right around it!"...holy mackeral.
I was also told there are many TD pilots who will not fly their TD's in gusts/crosswinds while nose gear guys never give it a thought...I can't (not) fly that way.
Given my particular situation, and potential problems with experience, insurance, re-sale, ground loops, whatever, should I just bail and go with the 7A? Kinda hard to know in advance the crosswinds on a cross-country.
Sorry for the length, but I'm really, truly interested in TD pilot opinions.
Thanks,
Allan
My situation:
300-hour pilot with about 100 hours in TD's (low-performance Aeronca, Champ), seeking an efficient, fast, UTILITARIAN, non-retractable, serious cross-country bird for 1-2 people. After rejecting Mustang II and Pulsar-100, RV-7 or RV-7A is it. My flying would be minimal 'around-the-patch', sight-seeing, grass-strip, or dirt-strip stuff.
Why I want an RV-7 (vs 7A):
1. Faster (though not much);
2. Lighter (quite a few pounds);
3. Better looking (shouldn't be important, but it is);
4. Easier access to cabin, avoiding the weight, cost, labor, drag, and ugliness of the added step hanging out;
I was still about talked into a 7A until I hopped in the cabin of an RV-6A. The gear brackets and braces on the floor are an ABORTION!!! "It's okay," I was told, "your leg flexes right around it!"...holy mackeral.
I was also told there are many TD pilots who will not fly their TD's in gusts/crosswinds while nose gear guys never give it a thought...I can't (not) fly that way.
Given my particular situation, and potential problems with experience, insurance, re-sale, ground loops, whatever, should I just bail and go with the 7A? Kinda hard to know in advance the crosswinds on a cross-country.
Sorry for the length, but I'm really, truly interested in TD pilot opinions.
Thanks,
Allan