What are you doing with your RV this weekend?
Getting this weekend‘s thread started, and I hope you’re having a great one.
v/r,dr
Getting this weekend‘s thread started, and I hope you’re having a great one.
v/r,dr
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WDYDWYRTW? 11/1-2/2025
- Thread starter DeltaRomeo
- Start date
BFR today.
Pretty sure my CFI wants an RV. He currently is a partner in a Bonanza. Jumps at chance to give me a check ride which is not due till end of Nov but here it is the 1st and he wanted to go fly.
Give this a try: No flaps landing with a slightly (2-4 kts) variable tailwind. He is the second CFI that makes me do no flap landing because they are electrical and therefore have a higher chance of having to land no flaps. Amazing how fast an RV picks up speed with no flaps and slight nose down push to try and hit the numbers. First attempt was a go around. Second attempt landed but used about 2500 ft of runway floating 5-10 feet of the ground waiting until it wanted to settle. I think the key is to drag it in under power as the certified GA pilots seem to always do. Doing my normal full flaps drop in final approach is not best for no flaps.
Pretty sure my CFI wants an RV. He currently is a partner in a Bonanza. Jumps at chance to give me a check ride which is not due till end of Nov but here it is the 1st and he wanted to go fly.
Give this a try: No flaps landing with a slightly (2-4 kts) variable tailwind. He is the second CFI that makes me do no flap landing because they are electrical and therefore have a higher chance of having to land no flaps. Amazing how fast an RV picks up speed with no flaps and slight nose down push to try and hit the numbers. First attempt was a go around. Second attempt landed but used about 2500 ft of runway floating 5-10 feet of the ground waiting until it wanted to settle. I think the key is to drag it in under power as the certified GA pilots seem to always do. Doing my normal full flaps drop in final approach is not best for no flaps.
Just staring at it wondering when my engine will arrive :-(
Did another oil pressure adjustment, working a little bit at a time to get 80 psi in cruise. Up to 75 psi now so getting close.
Also flew a Cessna Caravan for 1.5 hrs and for sure it has a whole different mission and a whole lot more seats & baggage but it really isn’t that much faster then my -8. A typical cruise is 175 KTAS burning 45-50 gph. To get 175 KTAS in my -8 I need run at 2450 rpm ROP burning 9.5 gph. I typically like LOP at about 2300 rpm, 8-8.5 gph for normal cruise of 170 KTAS as it’s a good trade off for speed/economy and seems to be the engine’s sweet spot for smoothness. If I want to slow down I can get to 6.5 gph comfortably but the large trade off in speed for 2 gph is not worth it IMO. . These RVs are amazing machines but man that turbine smoothness is another matter…..
Also flew a Cessna Caravan for 1.5 hrs and for sure it has a whole different mission and a whole lot more seats & baggage but it really isn’t that much faster then my -8. A typical cruise is 175 KTAS burning 45-50 gph. To get 175 KTAS in my -8 I need run at 2450 rpm ROP burning 9.5 gph. I typically like LOP at about 2300 rpm, 8-8.5 gph for normal cruise of 170 KTAS as it’s a good trade off for speed/economy and seems to be the engine’s sweet spot for smoothness. If I want to slow down I can get to 6.5 gph comfortably but the large trade off in speed for 2 gph is not worth it IMO. . These RVs are amazing machines but man that turbine smoothness is another matter…..
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Got 4.2 hours in this morning, towards Phase 1, despite the time change.
Running from the sun.....
Running from the sun.....
I just put my name on the waitlist there. Will be moving 5min down the road in 5 years!
That prop looks impressive. Who’s your buddy in the pic?
Thats Pumpkin
Great pic!
Did some work-related flying but managed to fit the RV6 into the game as well. As a wise man once said, I love it when a plan comes together.
I also managed to pull my hamstring somehow. That was... less optimal.
--Ron
I also managed to pull my hamstring somehow. That was... less optimal.
--Ron
Long weekend of fun. Bluffton, SC to see friends and enjoy an oyster roast. Then up to Blacksburg, VA to see the girls and watch VA Tech football. Then home on Sunday.
KFYE-KHXD-KBCB-KFYE
Great push to KHXD - 212 GS
Ft Bragg, NC drop zones I jumped on in my 82nd days
Hokie leg
KFYE-KHXD-KBCB-KFYE
Great push to KHXD - 212 GS
Ft Bragg, NC drop zones I jumped on in my 82nd days
Hokie leg
1.6 hrs burning fuel, checking out the sights, testing some autopilot settings (I think I have it working nicely now in both track and course mode). Very smooth air today, really nice day to be flying above the clouds. RV's are magnificent machines, I certainly appreciate mine.
I've said this many times, but one more won't hurt: Thanks, Van, for a great airplane design and kit!![20251102_142747[1].jpg](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/79/79565-2ed0ba0e742ea62d42db252dec8cd4a0.jpg?hash=VYv-6jfevl "20251102_142747[1].jpg")
I've said this many times, but one more won't hurt: Thanks, Van, for a great airplane design and kit!
Oh yeah, I also tried my hand at forming interior panels with kydex- I wanted to angle out the headset controller. Came out decent for the first wag- but I think a proper kydex press (instead of multiple runs through the oven and a torch) could have made a nicer finished product.
Congrats! A true right of passage.
Welcome to the ranks of builders with small round scars on their fingertips! You now have the Secret Scar of the Builder Clan!
Loreto, Mexico (MMLT)
Back to Baja, this time Loreto for wifey’s birthday and dia de La muertos celebrations. Good times and so easy in the 7a.
Back to Baja, this time Loreto for wifey’s birthday and dia de La muertos celebrations. Good times and so easy in the 7a.
Tearing out the old panel. Mixed emotions. It served me well for 18 years.
I did everything - design, layout, wiring, panel cutting, paint, labels, etc…. It took me a long time to get it done and only two hours to undo it.
This time Advance is doing it all and I look forward to “plugging”’ it all together.
I did everything - design, layout, wiring, panel cutting, paint, labels, etc…. It took me a long time to get it done and only two hours to undo it.
This time Advance is doing it all and I look forward to “plugging”’ it all together.
Hmmm .......... looks vaguely familiar. Gotta love the insulating quality of a moving blanket (hopefully).
I'm testing my heating system before it gets cold. It really never gets SUPER cold here, but it does occasionally and I want to be ready in case it also brings good flying weather.
I'm testing my heating system before it gets cold. It really never gets SUPER cold here, but it does occasionally and I want to be ready in case it also brings good flying weather.
