Any plans-built "RV equivalents" out there?

I've been searching quite a bit for something equivalent or similar to an
RV-9 but
available as a plans-built. So far - no luck (seems that Van has done too
good a
job 8-)...

Basic requirements are - well - same as an RV-9: Metal, 2-seat (not tandem),
power from O-200/O-235/IO-240/O-320 - minimum cruise around 150-175mph,
range approximately 500-600 NM+, very stable (non-aerobatic)

Anybody here know of such a thing - or is it time to write Van a check
8-)...?

Thanks for any input.
Bill

Netgeek wrote:
I've been searching quite a bit for something equivalent or similar to an
RV-9 but
available as a plans-built.
Anybody here know of such a thing - or is it time to write Van a check
8-)...?

Is buying a set of plans off Vans no longer an option?

Frank

"Frank van der Hulst" wrote in message:
Is buying a set of plans off Vans no longer an option?

That would be the ideal. However, looking around their website I see
that the "Construction Plans" are offered at US$275. I assumed that
since they are really geared towards selling kits the plans describe the
"construction" and don't really provide the type of detail for individual
parts that would be required to "scratch build".

They have a sample section from the RV-8 plans for download to
review - and they sort of confirm my suspicion - i.e. they're meant to
describe putting the kit together - not for fabricating individual
components.

Perhaps someone on here who has a set of plans can comment as to
whether there's enough detail or not ?????

"Netgeek" wrote in message
...

"Frank van der Hulst" wrote in message:
Is buying a set of plans off Vans no longer an option?

That would be the ideal. However, looking around their website I see
that the "Construction Plans" are offered at US$275. I assumed that
since they are really geared towards selling kits the plans describe the
"construction" and don't really provide the type of detail for individual
parts that would be required to "scratch build".

They have a sample section from the RV-8 plans for download to
review - and they sort of confirm my suspicion - i.e. they're meant to
describe putting the kit together - not for fabricating individual
components.

Perhaps someone on here who has a set of plans can comment as to
whether there's enough detail or not ?????

My RV-6 was from a kit, but the plans were plenty adequate to scratch build.
Why don't you e-mail Van's and find out if their RV-9 plans are adequate for
scratch building if that's the airplane you want? Given the time and cost
of any airplane project, I'd spend the 30 seconds needed to e-mail Van's
before you give up on the airplane you want.

KB

"Kyle Boatright" wrote:


"Netgeek" wrote in message
...

"Frank van der Hulst" wrote in message:
Is buying a set of plans off Vans no longer an option?

That would be the ideal. However, looking around their website I see
that the "Construction Plans" are offered at US$275. I assumed that
since they are really geared towards selling kits the plans describe the
"construction" and don't really provide the type of detail for individual
parts that would be required to "scratch build".

They have a sample section from the RV-8 plans for download to
review - and they sort of confirm my suspicion - i.e. they're meant to
describe putting the kit together - not for fabricating individual
components.

Perhaps someone on here who has a set of plans can comment as to
whether there's enough detail or not ?????

My RV-6 was from a kit, but the plans were plenty adequate to scratch build.
Why don't you e-mail Van's and find out if their RV-9 plans are adequate for
scratch building if that's the airplane you want? Given the time and cost
of any airplane project, I'd spend the 30 seconds needed to e-mail Van's
before you give up on the airplane you want.

KB

And as a next step, spend the ~$60 for "preview plans" which, as I
understand it, are complete plans, except reduced to fit 11x17 sheets
that are folded and put in a 3-ring binder, and they do not reflect
all of the latest changes in the actual plans. But should be enough
for you to see whether you'd want to build from the full set.

FWIW, the excerpt you saw on the vans page was from the construction
manual. There is an associated drawing (dwg 3) showing details. The
first few drawings are 3: Horizontal stab (that these instructions are
associated with), 4: elevator, 5: elev hinge parst and trim tab
details, 6: vert stab, 7: rudder, 8: Horiz and vert stab part
alignments and empennage rib fluting locations.

--
Alex -- Replace "nospam" with "mail" to reply by email. Checked infrequently.

Frank van der Hulst wrote:
Netgeek wrote:

I've been searching quite a bit for something equivalent or similar to an
RV-9 but
available as a plans-built. Anybody here know of such a thing - or is
it time to write Van a check
8-)...?


Is buying a set of plans off Vans no longer an option?

Frank
The -3, -4 & -6 plans at one time included enough info to scratchbuild.
The plans for the newer planes have only assembly drawings & do not
include dimension info except for the very few parts that must be
fabricated.

If you can revise your cruise requirements downward slightly, you might
look at the Sonex.

Charlie
RV-4 flying
RV-7 wings

"Charlie" wrote in message
.. .
If you can revise your cruise requirements downward slightly, you might
look at the Sonex.

Charlie

Yep, I looked long and hard at the Sonex - a great little plane! The info
pack and
especially the flying video with Tony Spicer are compelling. However, by
all
accounts the Sonex is a "sport plane" (and apparently a very good one!) but
many
builders/flyers (and the factory) note that it's "neutrally stable" and not
really made
for cross-country. That's not meant to be critical - it's actually an
attribute for its'
intended mission - just doesn't fit my needs since I'm really looking for
economical
distance travelling...8-(

I'm really up against what I'm sure many of you have gone through - and that
is the
requirements of She Who Must Be Obeyed 8-)... I'm thinking along the lines
of
Beech Sundowner for comfort and simplicity but with an extra 40-50 knots -
she's
thinking Business Class on Cathay Pacific. A compromise is going to be
difficult!

Bill

"Netgeek" wrote in
:


"Charlie" wrote in message
.. .
If you can revise your cruise requirements downward slightly, you
might look at the Sonex.

Charlie

Yep, I looked long and hard at the Sonex - a great little plane! The
info pack and
especially the flying video with Tony Spicer are compelling. However,
by all
accounts the Sonex is a "sport plane" (and apparently a very good
one!) but many
builders/flyers (and the factory) note that it's "neutrally stable"
and not really made
for cross-country. That's not meant to be critical - it's actually an
attribute for its'
intended mission - just doesn't fit my needs since I'm really looking
for economical
distance travelling...8-(

I'm really up against what I'm sure many of you have gone through -
and that is the
requirements of She Who Must Be Obeyed 8-)... I'm thinking along the
lines of
Beech Sundowner for comfort and simplicity but with an extra 40-50
knots - she's
thinking Business Class on Cathay Pacific. A compromise is going to
be difficult!

Bill



You should fly in a Sonex before you dismiss it. A Sonex with a Jab
3300 cruises near 160mph. I don't think a RV-9 is even possitively
stable. A Sonex is very easy to fly, you can hold the stick between
your knees for a bit if nessasary and you could easily ignore the rudder
except for landing in crosswinds.

How long distance is your distance?

--
-- ET :-)

"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams

ET wrote...

I don't think a RV-9 is even possitively stable.

It is, as long as the CG is within limits.

Dave 'stick fixed and stick free' Hyde

"Netgeek" wrote

Yep, I looked long and hard at the Sonex - a great little plane! The info
pack and
especially the flying video with Tony Spicer are compelling. However, by
all
accounts the Sonex is a "sport plane" (and apparently a very good one!)
but
many
builders/flyers (and the factory) note that it's "neutrally stable" and
not
really made
for cross-country.

Slap an autopilot in it, for less than $2000, and it would be "real" stable.
--
Jim in NC