3/13/2018

Yeah, …. I know.  Its been awhile since I posted anything.  But, I did by an airplane last September.  I’ve spent the last 5 months learning to land the thing.  Still not greasing them on often enough.  The darn thing really likes to bounce!  But, I have been out in the garage.  And, I’ll be updating the build log soon!

 

9/17/2016

I got to meet a larger than life hero of aviation today.  Mr. R.A. “Bob” Hoover:

Reno was fun.  But, I wish I could’ve stayed for the finals on Sunday!

The Aircraft:

The Airplane is an RV-8 kit plane designed by Van’s Aircraft, out of Aurora, OR.  Van’s Aircraft, Inc. is (I believe) the largest and most popular of all the experimental amateur built (EAB) aircraft kit manufacturers.  According to their web site (http://vansaircraft.com) they have approximately 9,500 aircraft kits completed and flying as of August, 2016.

The aircraft I’m building (the RV-8) is a single engine, 2 seat, low-wing aircraft.  I plan on installing a 200hp Lycoming IO-360 engine with a constant speed propellor, and a basic IFR capable panel with ADAHARS and WAAS GPS.  Specifications and performance data below are copied from Van’s

RV–8/8A Specifications

General InfoSpecificationsPerformance

RV – 8 Exterior Dimensions Span 24 ft Length 21 ft Height 5 ft 7 in Wing Area 116 sq ft Weights Empty Weight 1067 – 1120 lbs Gross Weight 1800 lbs Loadings Wing Loading 15.5 lb/sq ft Power Loading 12 – 9 lb/hp Powerplant/Systems Engine 150-200 hp Propeller [in prototype] Fixed or C/S Fuel Capacity 42 US gal Other Baggage 125 lbs

RV–8/8A Performance

General InfoSpecificationsPerformance

RV – 8 Solo Weight 1400 lbs Gross Weight 1800 lbs 160 hp 180 hp 200 hp Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop Speeds and ranges in statute mph (sm) Speed – Solo Weight Top Speed 206 mph 214 mph 222 mph Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 197 mph 204 mph 212 mph Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 175 mph 182 mph 189 mph Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph Speed – Gross Weight Top Speed 205 mph 213 mph 221 mph Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 195 mph 203 mph 210 mph Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 173 mph 180 mph 187 mph Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph Ground Performance – Solo Weight Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft Ground Performance – Gross Weight Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft Climb/Ceiling – Solo Weight Rate of Climb 2,000 fpm 2,300 fpm 2,700 fpm Ceiling 21,000 ft 23,000 ft 25,500 ft Climb/Ceiling – Gross Weight Rate of Climb 1,400 fpm 1,650 fpm 1,900 fpm Ceiling 18,500 ft 20,500 ft 22,500 ft Range Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 855 sm 790 sm 780 sm Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1,030 sm 955 sm 940 sm