Learning to fly in a RV-10

[rocketman1988]

Interesting thread. I scrolled through the replies to see whether anyone has done this. Finding none, I'll add my two cents. I have actually done this! Twice! From the CFI perspective.

Briefly, I'm a 12,000-hour ATP, ex-USAF T-37 IP. I built an RV-4, flying for 24 years now, and I'm nearing completion on my RV-10 project. I maintain my CFI mostly for the fun of it. I mostly do RV transition training, tailwheel endorsements, aerobatic instruction, formation instruction. Mostly for fun.

I have taught two new students to fly in their own RVs. One guy purchased my neighbor's RV-10 without a pilot's license, the other was my neighbor lady who built an RV-12 as a post-solo student pilot, most of her training in a C-150, but obtained her Light Sport license in her new RV-12.

The RV-10 guy bought the airplane without a pilot's license. He had bought it from my neighbor who has built a bunch of all models of the RVs. I happened to be down there at my neighbor's house, shooting the breeze, when I overheard the purchaser complaining that he could not find a CFI that his insurance company would insure for his initial training. I offered to do it, and sent him my numbers, which his insurance company agreed would be fine.

And that really will be your difficulty: the insurance. You don't have to insure the airplane, of course. But most people having spent that much time and money building the airplane will want to insure it against loss and liability. That will be expensive! Have no illusions on that point. Having no time in type, experimental airplane, and no flight experience and no license, insuring it for giving instruction: that will be expensive and difficult to find! Your insurance company will insist that the CFI have experience in make and model. That will be hard to find.

If you can find a CFI and insurance, yes, it can be done just fine. The RVs are very honest airplanes and I enjoy instructing in them. The complex RV-10 will take more time for you to learn in. Plus you have to demonstrate knowledge of the avionics and systems on your checkride. Having more complex avionics and systems in the RV-10, you will be tested on those. But the mechanics of learning to fly in the RV-10 are no more difficult than other airplanes.

You will also, however, put more wear and tear on your airplane learning primary instruction in it. You will bounce landings and impose side loads learning crosswind techniques. I personally bought a Cessna 140 to give primary instruction to my children, just to keep the wear and tear off of my beloved RV-4!

In conclusion:
Yes, it can be done just fine. Insurance and CFI experience will be the sticking points. You will put much more wear on the airplane than if you learn first in a cheaper trainer. Were I doing it, I would get the license in a simple and inexpensive trainer first, then transition into the RV-10 that you built with some flight experience already under your belt. But you are the one paying the bills, so you make the choice yourself. There is no wrong answer either way. Don't be afraid to learn in your own airplane. Just know the tradeoffs.

Well said, echoing what most of the rest of us have said.

To add one other thing, not only will finding an instructor be challenging but finding a DPE that will do the checkride in an experimental aircraft will likely be most challenging.

 

[Tankerpilot75]

The USAF candidate pilots are highly screened. They also wash out pilots on the first few flights.

The military is looking for someone that already has “it” and goes full fire hose learning.

I loved these comments! I benefited from the USAF training program but “highly screened” and “someone that already has “it”” - maybe not so much! I agree the “full fire hose” treatment is pretty accurate.

In my illustrious training experience I held the class record for incidents of air sickness. They only let me solo the T-37 because I demonstrated the ability to fly aerobatics and cleanly throw up in baggy while maintaining proper aircraft control. I once impressed my flight instructor by maintaining great wingtip formation and cleanly filling up my airsickness bag. A bad flight was a three bagger!

Eventually even the worst air sick pilots get over the problem once they adjust to the flying environment and gain the confidence in their own skills and abilities. It just takes time and determination - and a lot of baggies - .

Flying 1,000 hours (video game simulator I suspect) is definitely not flying a real airplane, in actual flying conditions such as turbulence, wind, gust factors, traffic, heat and cold, radio distractions, instructor “discussions “, etc. All RV aircraft suffer the same nose gear “weaknesses” and doing the “landing porpoise” as one learns to land a real airplane is definitely not conducive to lower RV insurance premiums.

I recently told someone I’m “thinking” about selling my RV this year due to my advancing years (77), stiffer body, and the increasing cost of insurance. He said he was interested because his son wants to become a professional pilot. I strongly suggested he look at a Piper Warrior or Cessna 150/172 or something like these aircraft for his son to build time in. Why? They’re the equivalent of an airplane tank. I agree RVs are easy to fly and generally easy to land. But they are quick enough to get an inexperienced pilot into trouble before they recognize it and structurally not built for a lot of learning abuse.

Flying a plane is definitely not a video experience. It’s a perishable skill that anyone with determination and dedication can acquire but not necessarily the right skill for everyone. First and foremost is the maturity and judgment to know how best to acquire and exercise that skill.

 

[skirting_virga]

3. Gear design is not as robust as the tradition Cessna and Piper trainers. You will have plenty of opportunity to lower the touchdown elevation of the runway when learning. I wouldn't do it in your shinny RV-10.

This is the main thing that stands out to me as to why not to do it. Planes are expensive and we want to care for the nice ones. The time-honored trainers like the 152/172 will put up with a ton of landing abuse while you learn, and those planes are living perhaps their last lifetime in a flight school training environment where the students practice to be less clumsy about landings. Have your learning hiccups in a dedicated training aircraft instead of your dream plane. You'll thank yourself later. I got through the learning curve in about 15 flight school airplanes of varying models before flying my RV. I would do it that way 10 times out of 10 - highly recommended.

 

[MatthewMB]

As a "retired" Flight Instructor, I would counsel against that, in general. General Aviation trainers are designed to be flown by "learners" and for the most part, they are sturdier than Vans aircraft. I might suggest that you do about half or so of your initial training using aircraft generally dedicated to the trainer role. Then perhaps when you've got some experience under your belt, then you could finish off in the RV-10.
Also, that way or something similar, you could be learning to fly during the last stages of the construction.
One person's opinion, ....... worth exactly what you paid for it!

I've given 4000hrs of instruction in the last few years. I like the first reply about getting at least 20hrs in another plane first.
Probably even better to just finish first. Then, transition training. Staying in one plane makes achieving the license the easiest.
Who your instructor is, is extremely important.
Learning in a Piper would be a little similar.
But, my favorite trainer is the Sling2. You do have to learn to fly it. No faking it.