bigbill25
Well Known Member
It was a good morning. I took the morning off work, drove to 7S3, rented a C-150, and flew to UAO to take a demo flight in the RV-12.
First, some background on me. I'm a newer pilot with only 84 hours in the log book. Almost all of my time has been in a Cesna 150. I have a few hours in the Cherokee 180, but not much. Some ex-fighter jock, I'm not (no matter how hard I dream). When you hear my opinion, they come from this background.
Oregon was being unkind to me. Last night was virtually clear. This morning, broken ceiling right around 2000 feet MSL. Enough to get around, but defiantly kept things close to the ground. Winds were fairly light, with UAO reporting about 4 knots out of the South when I listened to the ASOS before arrival.
Apon landing, I taxied over to the Van's facility and parked next to a couple -6s and a -10. Not a bad way to commute if you can do it! Walked into the office and Joe Blank was quickly found and came and got me. As we walked to the hanger, he asked about my background (see above) and what I was wanting to do (RV-12 project in a partnership with 3 or 4 other people). In to the hanger and to the plane.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3302%2F3640299842_001e52a6f6.jpg&hash=588e96bf01473f54997ffa7cbe2dc239)
The RV-12 in Sunny Oregon
We talked about a lot of specifics about the -12: speed of building, flying qualities, ease of transition, and so on. He then let me get in and test out the left seat while on the ground. This was one of my main concerns as I am a 6'3" guy and didn't know if I would fit. I'm happy to report that I do fit in a -12. With the stock full-sized seat cushion, I have a couple inches between my head and the canopy without a headset on. I think I'll find slightly slimmer cushions on my project, but didn't have any trouble durring the demo flight. The seats where very comfortable. In fact, the -12 was way more comfortable than the C-150, and I would say even had a bit more leg room than the Cherokee. That impressed me. I've read reviews from others saying the panel was a bit to far forward for them to reach everything. Not for me. I could easily open the map box from the left seat. I might not be able to get something from the back of the box, but I could open it.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3580%2F3640280692_94f32e1982.jpg&hash=1f73892bc89071ae7a1423c64aefcde3)
The wood-composite ground adjustable prop. This is what we'll get.
Joe did a full pre-flight, and this included the "burping" of the Rotax. I've heard about it, but it was the first time I've seen it. To get a read on the oil, you have to do about 20 half-turns of the prop. When it happens, you will hear this "Drain-o" sound and, voila, you can check the oil. This reminded me of the crew running the prop through on a B-17. Interesting that this needs to be done on a modern engine.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3657%2F3639474513_6c0ae344d4.jpg&hash=f3479182d191f2f5adfe8253fc00d03d)
The Fuel Tank Sight Window (note: picture taken post-flight)
The fuel was two-thirds full as seen from the sight glass. I did a quick look back there and didn't see the "crazing" issue, but it's hard to get a close look. I asked what they've been feeding her, and the answer is all Mogas. They have a few 5-gallon jugs the go fill up at the local gas stations (UAO doesn't have Mogas on field). Oregon is all E10, so it's been burning that. Joe thought that it had about 200 hours on her.
Please head to Part II: The Flight
--Bill
First, some background on me. I'm a newer pilot with only 84 hours in the log book. Almost all of my time has been in a Cesna 150. I have a few hours in the Cherokee 180, but not much. Some ex-fighter jock, I'm not (no matter how hard I dream). When you hear my opinion, they come from this background.
Oregon was being unkind to me. Last night was virtually clear. This morning, broken ceiling right around 2000 feet MSL. Enough to get around, but defiantly kept things close to the ground. Winds were fairly light, with UAO reporting about 4 knots out of the South when I listened to the ASOS before arrival.
Apon landing, I taxied over to the Van's facility and parked next to a couple -6s and a -10. Not a bad way to commute if you can do it! Walked into the office and Joe Blank was quickly found and came and got me. As we walked to the hanger, he asked about my background (see above) and what I was wanting to do (RV-12 project in a partnership with 3 or 4 other people). In to the hanger and to the plane.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3302%2F3640299842_001e52a6f6.jpg&hash=588e96bf01473f54997ffa7cbe2dc239)
The RV-12 in Sunny Oregon
We talked about a lot of specifics about the -12: speed of building, flying qualities, ease of transition, and so on. He then let me get in and test out the left seat while on the ground. This was one of my main concerns as I am a 6'3" guy and didn't know if I would fit. I'm happy to report that I do fit in a -12. With the stock full-sized seat cushion, I have a couple inches between my head and the canopy without a headset on. I think I'll find slightly slimmer cushions on my project, but didn't have any trouble durring the demo flight. The seats where very comfortable. In fact, the -12 was way more comfortable than the C-150, and I would say even had a bit more leg room than the Cherokee. That impressed me. I've read reviews from others saying the panel was a bit to far forward for them to reach everything. Not for me. I could easily open the map box from the left seat. I might not be able to get something from the back of the box, but I could open it.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3580%2F3640280692_94f32e1982.jpg&hash=1f73892bc89071ae7a1423c64aefcde3)
The wood-composite ground adjustable prop. This is what we'll get.
Joe did a full pre-flight, and this included the "burping" of the Rotax. I've heard about it, but it was the first time I've seen it. To get a read on the oil, you have to do about 20 half-turns of the prop. When it happens, you will hear this "Drain-o" sound and, voila, you can check the oil. This reminded me of the crew running the prop through on a B-17. Interesting that this needs to be done on a modern engine.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3657%2F3639474513_6c0ae344d4.jpg&hash=f3479182d191f2f5adfe8253fc00d03d)
The Fuel Tank Sight Window (note: picture taken post-flight)
The fuel was two-thirds full as seen from the sight glass. I did a quick look back there and didn't see the "crazing" issue, but it's hard to get a close look. I asked what they've been feeding her, and the answer is all Mogas. They have a few 5-gallon jugs the go fill up at the local gas stations (UAO doesn't have Mogas on field). Oregon is all E10, so it's been burning that. Joe thought that it had about 200 hours on her.
Please head to Part II: The Flight
--Bill
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