Jay Honeck
Member
I have been a pilot for almost 20 years, flying the usual assortment of single engined spam cans. I've owned Pipers and an Ercoupe, and flown rental Cessnas. I've got hours in a fairly wide variety of aircraft, from Cubs to Constellations.
But, oh, my goodness, I've never flown anything like the RV-8 I flew Sunday.
It is amazing what good engineering can produce. The controls are wonderfully harmonized and precise. Stability is comparable to a lawn dart -- point it "thataway" and it goes thataway, without wallow or wander.
Performance? Um, nothing comes close, per horsepower. We saw 200 mph with a 180 HP engine, and did a zoom climb at over 5000 feet per minute.
Want to do a roll? Why not? Want to carry folding chairs, a cooler, and two bags of clothes? It will do it.
Visibility? Unlimited. Comfort? I had more shoulder room than when I fly with another guy in my Pathfinder.
I believe Vans has designed the perfect single engine prop plane. I flew my plane on Monday, and it felt like I was trying to coax a freighter into port, by comparison.
I have been...converted. I now understand Geico's religious fervor.
But, oh, my goodness, I've never flown anything like the RV-8 I flew Sunday.
It is amazing what good engineering can produce. The controls are wonderfully harmonized and precise. Stability is comparable to a lawn dart -- point it "thataway" and it goes thataway, without wallow or wander.
Performance? Um, nothing comes close, per horsepower. We saw 200 mph with a 180 HP engine, and did a zoom climb at over 5000 feet per minute.
Want to do a roll? Why not? Want to carry folding chairs, a cooler, and two bags of clothes? It will do it.
Visibility? Unlimited. Comfort? I had more shoulder room than when I fly with another guy in my Pathfinder.
I believe Vans has designed the perfect single engine prop plane. I flew my plane on Monday, and it felt like I was trying to coax a freighter into port, by comparison.
I have been...converted. I now understand Geico's religious fervor.