Jump to content

rgmwa

First Class Member
  • Posts

    2,247
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    19

Everything posted by rgmwa

  1. We have three windsocks at Serpentine, all usually pointing in different directions. Glad this incident finished well.
  2. ... don't know what happened there. Tried to edit my previous post.
  3. They said the trailing edge angles were put on to increase stick feedback and won't be on the final version. The front of the stabilator is also removable so they can experiment with different nose sections. The whole thing is a flying testbed for their ideas and still quite a long way from a final design.
  4. Seems there was a fair degree of interest...
  5. Yes, total confusion the first time. Trying to remember and do everything at once, and achieving very little. It got better though.
  6. Correct Nev. All I’ve proved is that I can do it under certain conditions unrelated to a reall emergency.
  7. I’ve practised it at height enough to know that I can do it pretty well …. at height when I’m practising.
  8. It's on the to-do list.
  9. Some of you have probably already seen this, but for those that haven't it's an interview with Rian Johnson, Vans CEO and chief designer about the thinking and development of the RV-15. It's clear that the current aircraft is about testing their ideas rather than a pre-production aircraft. Also interesting that they've been mulling over the idea of building a high wing for about 20 years now. They are putting some solid engineering and marketing thought into this plane, and I think it's going to be successful aircraft for a variety of customers, although probably not me unfortunately. They are also planning to develop a trainer version which may mean they intend building it themselves as they do the RV-12. Homebuilt aircraft have come a long way in the last 50 years.
  10. I averaged A$1.00 to US$99c. Friends did really well and bought their full RV-12 kit just as the rate hit A$1.00 = US$1.10, but today A$1.00 will get you just US$0.69. The exchange rate has a big effect on your build cost.
  11. I suspect it will be up there with the RV10 in cost, but I don't think RV's are overpriced for what you get in terms of kit quality and aircraft performance. You can also add a lot of extra cost to the basic kit by your own decisions. For example, most RV10 builders seem put enough avionics in their panels to pay for a decent used Cessna. A US$40-$60k panel is pretty average. What really hurts builders over here is the exchange rate and freight. My RV-12 cost $96k finished and flying in 2015. Today it would cost me at least $140k.
  12. Here's a pretty comprehensive Kitplanes article on the design that should answer a lot of questions: https://www.kitplanes.com/vans-rv-15-on-top/
  13. Link to RV-15 prototype photos for those interested. https://dougreeves.smugmug.com/RV-15-Engineering-Prototype/ They flew it to Oshkosh, although haven't released any performance details yet. Wingspan is about 35' and it has a 215hp engine, so a pretty decent sized plane for a homebuild. Should be a successful plane for Vans, but you will probably need deep pockets to build one.
  14. Methusala, I object to your claim that Bob Dylan can sing.
  15. Methusala, I think your research into the ‘facts’ is leading you down a lot of rabbit holes. The bottom line is the Ukrainians want Putin to mind his own business and get out of their country.
  16. I'm surprised they said as much as they did in front of a camera. Most even called it a war.
  17. Just guessing, but I think they will design it to be as versatile as possible, so at one end it may be a Cessna with 180 hp fixed pitch for those who just want a reasonably fast high wing tourer that's easy to get in and out of, with good carrying capacity and maybe 2+2 seating, while others will want a 250hp bush plane with a constant speed prop, tundra tyres or floats, perspex doors and able to fit a moose or grizzly in the back. They may even come out with a tri-gear version -15A. Whatever they do, it's likely to be a couple of years before the first builder gets one flying. They can't even keep up with the orders they already have due mainly to supply chain issues.
  18. Nobody would argue that the first casualty of war is truth and that there are two sides to every story, but are you saying that the west is ultimately responsible for the current special military operation because it left Putin with no other choice but to invade a neighbouring country?
  19. Vans use 2024-T3 Alclad aluminium alloy for wing and fuselage skins. This has a pure aluminium coating on both sides which oxidises and provides corrosion protection. It needs to be scuffed and cleaned before priming and painting. Some builders like to polish it (hard work) but most paint their aircraft. As a prototype there isn’t much point painting this particular RV.
  20. Also has a stabilator and articulated main gear. Not many details released yet, but will be interesting to see how it compares with similar aircraft. Should do well, but won't be cheap - especially with our current exchange rate.
  21. Just a prototype at this stage.
  22. Makes me think back to a takeoff I once did in a C152 as a solo student doing circuits. I had just started my takeoff run when a yellow rescue helicopter on an emergency call lifted off and crossed the runway climbing left to right about two thirds of the way down the strip, cutting across other aircraft in the circuit as it left the area. I continued my takeoff not even thinking about wake turbulence and fortunately without incident, other than being surprised by the sudden appearance of the helicopter crossing my path. Must have been lucky enough to have either passed under or climbed over the wake by the time I reached the spot. We have Ericson Aircranes and other fire fighting helicopters based at out airfield every summer, and we're repeatedly warned about wake turbulence when they are operating.
  23. Good, but when?
  24. Maybe the owner was a seat of the pants flyer.
×
×
  • Create New...