Are you a student pilot or experienced pilot?
skyfrog said:
My apologies, but I'd like to ask a couple more question on the RV 7/9 difference.
Since I passed my medical on Monday, I've given up the RV-12 idea. (Phew!)
My first question is one of aerobatics. To those RV-7 owners out there, can you give me a rough percentage of the time you use the aircraft for aerobatics? Every weekend? Once a year?
My second question is the possibility of having extra fuel on an RV9. The RV7 has extra fuel. I plan on getting the QB wings, so the mod to the fuel tanks is not an option. Is there a possibility of a baggage compartment fuel tank or wing tip tanks in the future for the RV9? Range is important.
My main "mission" is to fly cross-country several times a month, so the RV9 seems perfect. However, I get the urge now and then to push the envelope.
What I really need is a test flight in each. But how? I guess I'll wait for Sun-N-Fun in Lakeland before ordering.
Thanks,
John Edwards
Tools in place
EAA Workbench built
Ready to Order
Not sure are you new to flying, because of your just passed the medial comment.
I ask because I don't want to be presumptuous, but have you ever done aerobatics? I love it my self and why I have a RV. I also like doing X-C as well. The main reason for going up and flying locally most of the time for me is get some acro time. May I suggest you go up and get some dual aerobatics if you have never done acro. It is addictive: loops, rolls, stalls and combos there of. You don't need inverted fuel for, barrel rolls, aileron rolls, point and hesitation rolls, loops, Cuban 8, lazy 8, immelman, chandelle, split-s, clover leaf, wing over and so on. It's a challenge to do them well and maintain headings and make them symmetric and even. I will be working on them for the rest of my flying career.
There is a chance you will not love acro. However when you get your dual make sure you are the one flying. A demo flight where the instructor just shows you how great they are is not going to give you the experience of doing acro. I really dislike acro as a passenger. I don't mind teaching and keeping my hands off the controls for instruction, but for you to get a feel of acro and your tolerance and joy level, you should be manipulating the controls. Plane on 3 flights of 30 min. Don't go up for hours. You will be tired after 10 min. Acro is a learned skill and you gain tolerance and comfort doing it more.
Cross country wise, for you I don't know, but both planes are plenty good. Again I don't want to presume your experience or the X-C mission you have in mind. You know as a VFR pilot, getting to your destination is an added bonus. You have to expect to land and wait for weather, that is if you want to live. You may be a IFR pilot, I am just not sure so sorry if I am off there.
Also bladder can be an issue. Not sure if you are a relief bottle kind of guy, 2.5 hour leg guy or go as far as you can guy. Again both planes are fine and range is not a real issue for normal flights. However that little bit more range might make the difference in some point A to B flight you might have in mind.
I have heard new pilots with some very unrealistic expectations of the performance and mission they think they can pull off in a light single engine plane. The RV7 or 9 are very capable planes. The big diff is Acro and engine choice. The RV9 is 118-160 HP which is plenty. The RV7 is 160-200 HP. HP = climb rate, shorter takeoff and more altitude and payload capacity. However for the HP the RV9 is no slouch.
If already have a deal on a 160 HP engine or O235 on hand than the RV9 is nice plane. If you want a 180 HP engine than the choice is made for you, the RV7 is the plane for you. You will be blessed with a little more sporty flying qualities. What is sporty? A little faster (top end and approach speed), a little more climb rate. As far as feel I suspect the RV7 has more roll rate and a different feel, but not having flown both I can't say. Call Van and ask them about the feel. There is this thing called the "RV feel" which is hard to quantify, especially for a new pilot. Having flown different planes I can say the RV-4, 6 and 7's fly (feel) better than any plane I have ever flown. Light, responsive, well balanced between pitch and roll with fast response but not twitchy. I am going the guess the RV9 is a little more mild, but still with the "RV feel".