RV8 article in FLYING mag. (US)

[Garfly]

 

 

Used Aircraft Guide: Van’s RV-8

WWW.FLYINGMAG.COM

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Family-farm passion evolves Van’s into world’s best-selling ‘fighter-like’ kitplane.

 

[skippydiesel]

I have always fantasised about having an RV4 or 8 - my bias is unashamed and as obvious as is the article above.

 

Unlike this article, I draw the line at blatant "porky pies"

 

The "Van’s RV-8 Comparison Chart" is either out of date or a just a marketing crock of excrement. Completely unfair comparisons with aircraft ranging from 80-180 hp. The Zenith CH-750 is designed to use a Rotax 9  not 180 hp Lycoming & is hard put to Cruiseat  its Never exceed Speed of 96 knots, let alone 190 knots quoted on the chart.

 

My own 100 hp Sonex Legacy has a Cruise speed of 130 knots True & tops out at 152 knots True with a Cruise duration of 6.5hrs (to empty) giving a still air range of 840nm.

 

The obsession with hp, as a way the main deliverer of performance, serves no one well.

 

Aerodynamic design & care with construction, will give you RV performance on the "smell- of- an- oily- rag", as Robin Austin has demonstrated so well with his two Sonerai/100 hp aircraft, good for a 175 knots & Cruises from 100 - 160 knots😈

[Thruster88]

I love my 180hp RV6a, vans total performance is real. Very fast, beautiful control feel, easy to land at the farm strip. I had never even flown in an RV when I bought it, just based my decision on everything I had read about them.

[Garfly]

Talking of good reads re RVs, I saw that Kitplanes recently had some positive

things to say about how things are moving on at Van's after the tough times.

 

This conclusion gives the flavour (the image needs clicking on to be read)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1 by Garfly

[T510]

I'm a big fan of the RV15 but I would be hesitant to order a wing and tail kit when the fuselage kit is yet to be released.

 

Here's hoping they keep getting more robust as a company, I hate to see any kit manufacturer fail.

[Student Pilot]

5 hours ago, T510 said:

I'm a big fan of the RV15 but I would be hesitant to order a wing and tail kit when the fuselage kit is yet to be released.

 

Here's hoping they keep getting more robust as a company, I hate to see any kit manufacturer fail.

15 a very appealing aircraft

[skippydiesel]

I

1 hour ago, Student Pilot said:

15 a very appealing aircraft

It may be appealing but is it not another high wing, STOL aircraft,  entering an already crowded (kit & factory) market place?😈

[facthunter]

You can have gravity feed fuel , easier access, Better x wind geometry go thru (open) farm gates etc in a High wing and easily strut brace it.  Bad for Retract undercarriage and vision in steep turns and "full on" aerobatics.. Nev.

[Garfly]

And, according to Kitplanes, you can have

(with enough time, skill and dosh)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BurnieM]

Will be interesting to see what the actual STOL performance versus the higher than expected cruise speed actually turn out to be.

 

[Blueadventures]

On 02/07/2026 at 9:22 AM, T510 said:

I'm a big fan of the RV15 but I would be hesitant to order a wing and tail kit when the fuselage kit is yet to be released.

 

Here's hoping they keep getting more robust as a company, I hate to see any kit manufacturer fail.

Agree , still in early evolvement / design phase.  However would be a sound design.  now a few to choose from in the kit / price band.

[facthunter]

Bit like a Murphy Rebel, but a lot heavier and Probably stronger. I'd sure Like to experience how it performs. The Good U/c should be helpful at absorbing  and damping rough surfaces. Better than a C-180?  Nev 

[facthunter]

RV's have a good reputation that you can trust, in the Long run. It's a tough game to be in. You are not likely to become a Millionaire easily. Nev