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ryoung said:
Nice! Balanced control surfaces? Probably a good idea with 180hp.
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Yes, we use .020 skins as well for the increased speed and power. You have to get longer, specially bent skins and then make some RV-4 tail kits parts (trimming them down on one side and remaking the curve). Old school slow build stuff for sure. But in the end, it pays off. Helps offset the increased weight in the front with the balanced tail in the back. This RV-3 screams. Tops out around 235. That is Rocket territory. We had issues with the prop in the beginning (Catto FP), too coarse of pitch and had almost no low end climb. Ended up with the Sens GA prop. It really needs a CS prop but the owner didn't want to spend the extra money for that. So it's a compromise. Could get another 10mph out of it I think if it was propped correctly. I am building that last family RV-3 but going with a 320. Punch it out .010 and port/polish. Go with Emags. Should get closer to 175 hp. Going to work on keeping it very light as much as the wallet will allow. Should do 225-230, which is enough for me in my older age. Anything that can CRUISE 200-210 is going like a bat!
 
Aden Rich said:
Yes, we use .020 skins as well for the increased speed and power. You have to get longer, specially bent skins and then make some RV-4 tail kits parts (trimming them down on one side and remaking the curve). Old school slow build stuff for sure. But in the end, it pays off. Helps offset the increased weight in the front with the balanced tail in the back. This RV-3 screams. Tops out around 235. That is Rocket territory. We had issues with the prop in the beginning (Catto FP), too coarse of pitch and had almost no low end climb. Ended up with the Sens GA prop. It really needs a CS prop but the owner didn't want to spend the extra money for that. So it's a compromise. Could get another 10mph out of it I think if it was propped correctly. I am building that last family RV-3 but going with a 320. Punch it out .010 and port/polish. Go with Emags. Should get closer to 175 hp. Going to work on keeping it very light as much as the wallet will allow. Should do 225-230, which is enough for me in my older age. Anything that can CRUISE 200-210 is going like a bat!
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Are you talking indicated or true AS.
Is the VNE for the 3 still 212 MPH?
 
GPS averages, in actual speed.
I don't know the VNE off the top of my head but this airplane isn't a standard Van's RV-3 and it's got a lot of improvements over the original design to handle the extra speed. Remember, this is an experimental aircraft and you can set whatever it is you want for specs. But you don't do anything foolish when you get into that territory for speeds. It's just a flat out level run for short period of time. Most RV-3's with 160hp and CS props can go right past the Vans Vne in level flight.
 
Aden Rich said:
GPS averages, in actual speed.
I don't know the VNE off the top of my head but this airplane isn't a standard Van's RV-3 and it's got a lot of improvements over the original design to handle the extra speed. Remember, this is an experimental aircraft and you can set whatever it is you want for specs. But you don't do anything foolish when you get into that territory for speeds. It's just a flat out level run for short period of time. Most RV-3's with 160hp and CS props can go right past the Vans Vne in level flight.
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Its experimental, I get it.
Just wondering if the balanced stab and rudder upped the VNE.
Mine has an 0320E2D with wood prop, don't think the added aft weight
would be good for my W & B.
 
With that set up, you are correct. RV-3, and more so the -4, suffered aft CG issues with lighter engines and wood prop. Since this -3 has the 180 up from and the heavier cowling/plenum, the aft weight balanced out well.
 
I’ve mentioned it before, but as another data point, my RV-3 does 173 knots (199 mph) true airspeed at 8,000’ and 2400rpm and 24”. This is with an IO320 that’s pretty much stock. Top speed at 8000’ is right around 188 knots (216 mph). Mine, too, has a few mods that make me comfortable exceeding Van’s suggested Vne, but I don’t do it on a regular basis and only in very smooth air and definitely wings level. This happens mostly in descent from fairly high altitudes. If I don’t pull the power back, it will pick up a bunch of speed even at 700fpm down.

I came home from Steamboat in it yesterday and had to watch myself as I descended out of 15,500’. It was glass smooth so it was tempting, but I want no part of a flutter event, so I behaved myself!
 
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