TomAniello
Member
After more than 15 years of dreaming, I hope to finally start construction of an RV later this summer. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with your time answering questions for me as I drooled over your RVs at Oshkosh and Sun n' Fun!
The question I haven?t answered yet is RV-4 or RV-8? I?d like to build a very clean, relatively simple aircraft to keep the investment cost as low as possible. Ultimate speed and an array of gadgets are not nearly as high on my list as efficiency, fun, and quality. I anticipate mostly one and two hour VFR fun flights, mild aerobatics, sight-seeing, etc., with very little long cross country flying. My wife hates to fly, so I expect to be solo 80% of the time and give rides to friends the other 20%. I?m 6?1? 190 pounds, so not too far up on the ?Bubba? scale.
I like the lines of the RV-4 better than the eight, and understand that the RV-4 has fewer (if any?) pre-punched parts. I?ve heard, too, that the RV-4 plans and instructions leave much to be desired relative to the RV-8. What can I expect as a first-time builder if I go with the RV-4? Will the RV-4 cockpit be too small for my size and flying intentions? Any difference in flying qualities? Builder support issues? I?d appreciate any thoughts forum members could share with me.
The question I haven?t answered yet is RV-4 or RV-8? I?d like to build a very clean, relatively simple aircraft to keep the investment cost as low as possible. Ultimate speed and an array of gadgets are not nearly as high on my list as efficiency, fun, and quality. I anticipate mostly one and two hour VFR fun flights, mild aerobatics, sight-seeing, etc., with very little long cross country flying. My wife hates to fly, so I expect to be solo 80% of the time and give rides to friends the other 20%. I?m 6?1? 190 pounds, so not too far up on the ?Bubba? scale.
I like the lines of the RV-4 better than the eight, and understand that the RV-4 has fewer (if any?) pre-punched parts. I?ve heard, too, that the RV-4 plans and instructions leave much to be desired relative to the RV-8. What can I expect as a first-time builder if I go with the RV-4? Will the RV-4 cockpit be too small for my size and flying intentions? Any difference in flying qualities? Builder support issues? I?d appreciate any thoughts forum members could share with me.