Since y’all have pretty well talked me out of buying a Cub that is available for rent, I’ve moved on.

So now I am thinking to add a RV-4 to the Baron as my “screw around” airplane. Tailwheel, fun, aerobatics, inexpensive to own & operate. What’s not to love?

So, tell me wise friends … anyone have an RV-4 (or the like) + a Baron/Bonanza in the hangar? They seem to compliment each other well, with not a ton of overlap. Anything to be wary of? Words of caution? “Just do it?”

Thanks for all of the feedback as I have navigated this road recently.

I think that's a great plan. The RV's are a blast to fly and really inexpensive. The 4 looks fun!

With young kids we settled on the side-by-side RV-7A. They'd rather fly the RV than the 421.

We put in an IFR panel and use it for cross country more than expected.

The https://vansairforce.net/community is a great place to learn.

I have nothing of substance to add...

But I currently fly a Bonanza. If/when my upgrade goals leads me to a Baron, my thought would be to bifurcate and fly a Baron and RV-4 also.

RV7



Pure joy

I have an RV-6 and an RV-10. They are very complimentary airplanes.

Sit in both an RV-4 and an RV-6 before you choose the -4. The panel in the -4 is right in your face and the backseat is pretty cramped. In the -6, you can carry a reasonably sized passenger in comfort OR put your lunch, camera bag, maps, whatever in the right seat while you're solo...

I think you have the right idea. I have an AirCam as my fun plane but I don’t use it much, I’m thinking of selling it and getting an RV7. I think it will complement my Twin Bonanza and Queen Air well.

The tandem seat RVs are great for formation flying, just sayin...

A light RV-4 is as close as you can get to growing a set of wings.

Pure Joy to fly...

I appreciate all of the feedback. I think that maybe I am onto something here. Much prefer the tandems to side by side. First, they’re more fun. And second, the 4 is just such a performer. It’s often referred to as the best RV. Sure it’s small, and “barely” a two seater, given such a small back seat, but it is hard to beat as an all around playful airplane.

You really need to get a ride in a 180-200 hp RV-8 before you commit to an RV-4. Just offering my $0.02 opinion.

Point well taken. However, owning a Baron, and having access to a Debonair, an RV would really just be a screw around airplane. Just not sure that I can see taking it on trips. I’m more envision flying it for an hour or two locally. So, for half the price of an 8, I feel like I’m getting 80% of the airplane. Where do you see the advantage of the 8, compared to the 4, for this kind of utilization?

Point well taken. However, owning a Baron, and having access to a Debonair, an RV would really just be a screw around airplane. Just not sure that I can see taking it on trips. I’m more envision flying it for an hour or two locally. So, for half the price of an 8, I feel like I’m getting 80% of the airplane. Where do you see the advantage of the 8, compared to the 4, for this kind of utilization?

I really enjoy my -6. For anything under about 600nmi, just can just jump in and go quicker than the airlines (for me, not living in a hub city) for about a little bit of nothing (maybe $70/hr DOC). We have the full garmin suite so it’s low workload and generally high enjoyment factor. Basically 20nmi/gal, simple and robust systems, fun to yank and bank if you want to put around. I was thinking about selling but ended up putting a new Thunderbolt on it instead this year. I’ll probably keep for the foreseeable future and look to partner in a twin instead (or hit something big and call Michael Tarver for a citation).

I’ll also add that solo (which most of my flights are), I really like being able to stretch out/over a bit. I generally don’t like passengers (other than my wife) for more than a couple of hours.

You really need to get a ride in a Harmon rocket before committing to any of the RVs! I think the rocket is as close as you can get to owning a warbird