I, too, have the ultimate QB RV-8, built by someone else in addition to my A-36. I tell people that I am an active multi-engine pilot, just with two aircraft. The RV is a ton of fun to fly and, while IFR certified, I fly it only VFR now. If I am going by myself and VFR, it is what I fly. My wife likes the back of the RV but likes the A-36 more if we are going anywhere. There is a little bit of a challenge keeping sharp on the tailwheel flying in the RV and the IFR procedures and other proficiency in the A-36 but that is part of the fun of it. One makes me a better pilot in the other, the way that I see it. I guess that the never ending challenge of improvement is what has me finishing up my MEL ATP right now.

Finding a very well built RV can be a challenge. I learned that you can find the DAR inspector and get their opinion of the quality of build. The best pre-buy inspection that you can get by someone who knows RVs is time/money well spent. The ongoing cost of flying is quite a bit less than what I experience with my Bonanza.

John

As for affordability, my RV8 has a MGL Odyssey Gen 2. Incredible capabilities! We recently had it fail completely and after troubleshooting with MGL, we had to send it back. Out of warranty. Matt at MGL called and said the flash drive failed and the video adapter was beginning to fail. Long story short, they repaired it, turned it around in two days and the total bill, including freight was $285!

> the slowest build ...

I know a fellow who spent 3,000 hours on a RV-7 quick-build. He is a perfectionist and admits to pretty much building every part 3x. Also went thru two full glass panels and two engines ... Before its first flight.

our rv6 is absolutely the most fun responsive light aerobatic airplane i have ever flown. several pilots I've taken up and grabbed the controls were scared of it for being too "twitchy", but the reality is RV s are just super responsive.

Would like to see a professionally operated RV forum like this one instead of the one person owned PBS style annual dues money marathon for the ftp site owner, which is currently the major RV blog.

You and me both. Not sure how one would make that happen, though. You'd want to publicize to RV people. They're either on that site, where you'd be booted for publicizing a rival, or nowhere, where it's hard to reach them.

I am highly interested in the 7 or the 14! I don't have the time to build though, so 14's are out for a while.

8's are close to the 7, but I want the passenger sitting next to me.

The -8 is front-back; the -7 is side-by-side..

6's are getting cheap. You might think about one of those.

I've also had thoughts of an RV to compliment the bonanza.
(the reality being champagne tastes on a beer budget...lack of time to build)

I heard someone mention something about an AD (?) for spar cracks in the RV's.

What is that about?

Leldon

Service bulletin came out recently. About a 30 min. inspection. To my knowledge, very, very few found out of thousands.

Experimentals don't have ADs, but there's a Service Bulletin to inspect the forward spar of the horizontal stabilizer and another to inspect the rear spar of the wing, both looking for cracks. If cracks are found, there's a doubler kit. It's much like the Beechcraft spar web AD. New kits have all of the doublers included, so the SB doesn't apply.

There's a much older problem with RV-3 wings. I don't know the details of that.

Bunch of 'em at our field. Excellent craftsmanship too. One RV8 just got done after years of painstaking work. (He is also a Reno Air Racer). Lost two cylinders due to a mistake by the engine builder on the 2nd flight but somehow made it back to the field. Would have been a shame to have bent it up.

I've had several rides. The roll rate is very cool.

Hat's off to those that can do this stuff. If you cant put it together with 16d nails, I can't do it. Finish work and me don't get along so I really respect those that can pull this off.

I made the mistake of going for a ride in a RV8. Person allowed me to fly it most of the flight and I must say it was an awesome experience. Did a little bit of wing work off of a bulldog and it is really easy to fly in formation. I'm fairly certain I would not have the patience to build one, but definitely would love to own one; though, probably in a co-ownership arrangement.

The 4's and 8's look the most sporty, but the side by side seating in 6's, 7's and newer are more fun for 2 people and the speed performance difference is negligable.

You can't beat a well built 6

Yes it is.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/GnA1wDulHZc[/youtube]

Dave