Vans RV4
Moderators: John Dean, Moderator
Re: Vans RV4
Tasty! Nice machine but I think a Lancair would be better for what you want?
Adam Lewis
038262
038262
Re: Vans RV4
You!ll love it. I've had two. One was 150 hp and fixed pitch the other 180hp and VP.
The first one won on lighter handling and was in no way under powered. The second was faster and still a lot of fun.
For basic 'Larosa' aeros they perform very nicely. Easy to maintain height or even gain it in a sequence.
Inverted systems aren't really needed unless you're doing advanced stuff and even for that fuel injection and a half-Chtisten system will do. Fuel injection alone allows about 5 secs negative before you lose oil pressure.
It's not a Pitts, but it is easy to fly and land and quite capable as a x-country machine. Jon Johansson has done two circum-navigations in his!
It might be a squeeze if you're particularly tall or wide; they designed the RV-8 for that. No seat adjustment and not much pedal adjustment.
The first one won on lighter handling and was in no way under powered. The second was faster and still a lot of fun.
For basic 'Larosa' aeros they perform very nicely. Easy to maintain height or even gain it in a sequence.
Inverted systems aren't really needed unless you're doing advanced stuff and even for that fuel injection and a half-Chtisten system will do. Fuel injection alone allows about 5 secs negative before you lose oil pressure.
It's not a Pitts, but it is easy to fly and land and quite capable as a x-country machine. Jon Johansson has done two circum-navigations in his!
It might be a squeeze if you're particularly tall or wide; they designed the RV-8 for that. No seat adjustment and not much pedal adjustment.
Mark Albery
014377
014377
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Harry Hopkins
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:58 am
Re: Vans RV4
The RV-4 is an excellent a/c. I own a share in a 150 hp fixed prop version and the performance is still sparkling and the handling is superb - light and positive, but without a lot of natural stability, so you can't spend too much time with your head down changing frequency or squawk.
Ours uses about 28 litres an hour but very little oil.
Having a solid spring u/c, it absorbs shocks but gives a bounce if you drop it onto the runway.
If you intend to use it for aeros it should officially have been cleared so to do by a test pilot and appear on the permit. We don't bother with negative G movements because our engine only has a positive gravity oil pick up. Any negative G leads to oil on the a/c belly.
Have fun and happy landings,
Harry
Ours uses about 28 litres an hour but very little oil.
Having a solid spring u/c, it absorbs shocks but gives a bounce if you drop it onto the runway.
If you intend to use it for aeros it should officially have been cleared so to do by a test pilot and appear on the permit. We don't bother with negative G movements because our engine only has a positive gravity oil pick up. Any negative G leads to oil on the a/c belly.
Have fun and happy landings,
Harry
019009
Re: Vans RV4
Thanks for your replies guys, I have only just read them but I am pleased to say I am a proud owner of an RV4 and am loving every minute of it
Paul Lewis 31688