“The other problem is that an RV-7A with the 200hp option will cruise just shy of 200knots at reasonable economy while an IFR certified A/C, say a Cessna 152 will cruise at less than half that and gulp fuel at an alarming rate.”
This is a bit hard on the 152. A 152 will burn about 20lph and a 200hp lyk will burn 40 lph. Admittedly the RV will be much faster and more fun.
In the end it comes down to cost. If you can afford an IR and a top of the range Cirrus then you are home free and no need to build. If you want to build then assume no IFR allowed.
I owned a selection of C of A IFR “4 seaters” and flew extensively on my IMCR. After 700 hours several things became apparent.
1 I almost never used the third seat (the 4th not possible anyway for W&B)
2 Most of the “IFR” flights were actually possible VFR. This is self evident if you do a lot of European touring as your IMCR is not valid, but we all still fly round quite happily in a Fly for Fun environment.
3 Most of the aircraft handled like a soggy balloons
4 Most struggled with shortish strips
5 Most struggled to climb in hot weather, which almost cost me on more than on occasion.
6 The cost of fuel and maintenance was set to rise dramatically and price me out of the sky, or at least restrict my flying time.
This resulted in me spending £50k and 3 years building a Rotax powered MCR. I actually get more mission capability out of this than I did out of my IFR machines, but I fly for fun and wanted fast, good stol, good handling and good R of C. I am saving about £10k a year in running costs which will rise rapidly over the next few years and I am having more fun!
Rod1