building.. What would you choose?
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found this reply from vans when asked about projected fuel burn of the RV-14, on the vansairforce site.
"Since there are no owner built 14s flying yet, there aren't a lot of real world numbers. I've
flown the airplane on one 1400 mile trip and a lot of shorter trips, and generally plan on 10
gph overall. In cruise, at altitude we can do a bit less -- around 9 gph for 155-160 KTAS. IT'll
give you 170 KTAS, but the fuel burn will be about 12 -- so we rarely push it that hard. With
the injected IO-390 and good instrumentation, we're quite happy running it lean of peak at
altitude.
For the same 155-160 speed the smaller RV-9 burns about 7.5 and the RV-7 about 8 at
altitude. The 9, with no need for aerobatic roll rates, has a higher aspect ratio wing and it's
efficient cruise altitude is a bit higher, resulting in better economy.
Understand that these numbers are very general. The pilot has ultimate control and one
person's figures can easily be different by 15% -- or more.
flown the airplane on one 1400 mile trip and a lot of shorter trips, and generally plan on 10
gph overall. In cruise, at altitude we can do a bit less -- around 9 gph for 155-160 KTAS. IT'll
give you 170 KTAS, but the fuel burn will be about 12 -- so we rarely push it that hard. With
the injected IO-390 and good instrumentation, we're quite happy running it lean of peak at
altitude.
For the same 155-160 speed the smaller RV-9 burns about 7.5 and the RV-7 about 8 at
altitude. The 9, with no need for aerobatic roll rates, has a higher aspect ratio wing and it's
efficient cruise altitude is a bit higher, resulting in better economy.
Understand that these numbers are very general. The pilot has ultimate control and one
person's figures can easily be different by 15% -- or more.
Last edited by Ultralights; 24th Sep 2013 at 03:22.
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UL
I won't promise my house as a warranty, but you can be pretty sure of this as real world numbers. 161 knots TAS @ 8000' on 34.5/35.5 LPH.
Oddly enough my calculations are spot on with the claims in the content you posted. I assume Vans have published that somewhere and I have never found their numbers to be inaccurate. They do not sem to be like the days of old where manufacturers would publish all sorts of claims that could not be realised.
Having said that it took two Aussies to sit in the Beech sales room and point out their G58 Baron specs were horribly ....errr...mistaken. Not all that long ago I am told.
So what are you going to build?
I won't promise my house as a warranty, but you can be pretty sure of this as real world numbers. 161 knots TAS @ 8000' on 34.5/35.5 LPH.
Oddly enough my calculations are spot on with the claims in the content you posted. I assume Vans have published that somewhere and I have never found their numbers to be inaccurate. They do not sem to be like the days of old where manufacturers would publish all sorts of claims that could not be realised.
Having said that it took two Aussies to sit in the Beech sales room and point out their G58 Baron specs were horribly ....errr...mistaken. Not all that long ago I am told.
So what are you going to build?
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every schmuck in the world can start a project.
it takes a bit of persistence to be able to finish one.
only start the project if you are certain you can finish it.
it takes a bit of persistence to be able to finish one.
only start the project if you are certain you can finish it.
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How are you gonna fit your kids in the back of a 14?
as for not finishing, i have been a structures guy all my life, and have a full workshop at my disposal. and even staff if need by that want to help.
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If you are even contemplating kids, trying to convert a two seater is probably not the best course of action. If you can stretch for a 10 you'll be far better off accommodation wise. By the time you finish they will have probably outgrown the RV14 even if it was possible to fit them in. Kids come with a lot of baggage (of the physical kind), keep that in mind!
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No idea....but I know it is well built. That is a good start.
I will see what I can dig up for you. Maybe it is still available. They did want too much for the share in my opinion, but it is now very well priced.
Check PM's
I will see what I can dig up for you. Maybe it is still available. They did want too much for the share in my opinion, but it is now very well priced.
Check PM's
Last edited by Jabawocky; 25th Sep 2013 at 06:10.
The above post is very true. I have a RV6 that was built to be fast. Small tail and a IO360 with 10 to 1 pistons. I cruise at 10.8 gallons per hour at 185 knots. Run it LOP at 7.8 to 8 GPH and I still get 175 knots. Hard to beat that combination of speed and economy in anything else in the price range.
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This thread seems to have settled into a "which Vans" debate!
Although I am a great fan of Composite construction,there are a number of drawbacks.
Build-conditions, temperature and humidity need accurate control. surgical cleanliness is also a prerequisite. a wipe with a rag is NOT "clean" !
Damage can remain hidden until structural failure. We all know of the phantom hangar rash appearance...but if it doesn't show.......
Operating conditions.....Composites don't take kindly to sitting for hours in a strong, hot sun.
Repairs need a skill and experience-level hard to find...or a dedicated person willing to learn on the job....Your job!
Vans is orthodox construction, proven track-record,good resale value and provided it's properly corrosion-proofed at build and properly put together, will outlive the builder comfortably.
Damage is usually self-evident!
Err....guess I'd build a Vans! (very impressed with the recent AD's and the quality of the construction and components.)
Although I am a great fan of Composite construction,there are a number of drawbacks.
Build-conditions, temperature and humidity need accurate control. surgical cleanliness is also a prerequisite. a wipe with a rag is NOT "clean" !
Damage can remain hidden until structural failure. We all know of the phantom hangar rash appearance...but if it doesn't show.......
Operating conditions.....Composites don't take kindly to sitting for hours in a strong, hot sun.
Repairs need a skill and experience-level hard to find...or a dedicated person willing to learn on the job....Your job!
Vans is orthodox construction, proven track-record,good resale value and provided it's properly corrosion-proofed at build and properly put together, will outlive the builder comfortably.
Damage is usually self-evident!
Err....guess I'd build a Vans! (very impressed with the recent AD's and the quality of the construction and components.)
