Martin Sutter
Well Known Member
This afternoon I got a chance to fly Pete Anderson's RV12 (the 12th one to fly). With 3000RV hours and stick time in all RV models except the 3, I think this might be the sweetest flying one yet. The control harmony is superb, very light, precise and responsive. If you are used to this kind of response it is a very easy bird to fly. Some one used to ponderous lumbering beasts might have some adjusting to do as they inevitably will over control this bird at first.
Visibility from the cockpit is outstanding as the cowl is lower than it is in any other RV and seating is at the leading edge of the wing. The cockpit is at least as roomy or better than the one in my 7A and the seats are very comfortable. Short pilots might need a lot of cushion behind their backs and possibly even rudder pedal extensions. Those of taller build are well accomodated.
The little Rotax is buttery smooth but surprisingly noisy in the cockpit. A good head set is a must. Acceleration and climb is lively even with two aboard and the little bird has no trouble attaining Van's published performance numbers. The panel fits the typical mission profile of this airplane perfectly. The Dynon Flightdeck 180 was easy for me to operate even though I normally fly behind GRT screens. For anybody who has flown other RV's it only takes a few moments to say "yep, it flys like an RV". Van's Aircraft has hit another home run with this one!
Martin Sutter
building and flying RV's since 1988
EAA Tech Counselor
Visibility from the cockpit is outstanding as the cowl is lower than it is in any other RV and seating is at the leading edge of the wing. The cockpit is at least as roomy or better than the one in my 7A and the seats are very comfortable. Short pilots might need a lot of cushion behind their backs and possibly even rudder pedal extensions. Those of taller build are well accomodated.
The little Rotax is buttery smooth but surprisingly noisy in the cockpit. A good head set is a must. Acceleration and climb is lively even with two aboard and the little bird has no trouble attaining Van's published performance numbers. The panel fits the typical mission profile of this airplane perfectly. The Dynon Flightdeck 180 was easy for me to operate even though I normally fly behind GRT screens. For anybody who has flown other RV's it only takes a few moments to say "yep, it flys like an RV". Van's Aircraft has hit another home run with this one!
Martin Sutter
building and flying RV's since 1988
EAA Tech Counselor