Yesterday I strapped on my Van's RV-9A for the first time since getting checked out and putting 25 hours on my friends V-35. Comparing the two despite them being drastically different planes still crossed my mind as the Lycoming 0-320 was started. Basically I'm in the baby steps part of putting a Beech in my hanger and wondering at this point if my RV can ever satisfy me again.

After a runup and clearance from the tower I roll onto the runway which has about 10 knots pushing against the nose. It is always good to take off in this plane in its current configuration which happened to be 1 hour of fuel in each tank and just me. Light with wind on the nose equals a really short take off roll. Pushing the throttle forward I glance at the manifold pressure gauge and the tach. The readings are good as my constant speed Hartzell bites into the air and the seat pushes against my back. This part of the flight leans towards the RV if I had to choose. The nose is in the air within about 30 feet and the mains before crossing the numbers. I laugh to myself and think how this never gets tiring. I glance at the runway where I've been rotating for the last month in the Bonanza and quickly glance at the altimeter as it passes 400'. Another smile and the climb continues at 1,900 fpm. At around 1,000' I nose it over and settle in on 1,000 fpm and around 145 mph indicated. The pitch attitude looks to be just above level from the drivers seat in this configuration and the view over the nose is good. Leveling off and setting the power and prop for cruise it becomes apparent that the RV is ticking off the miles faster than the Bonanza did. The numbers were so close however that this one could be called a wash. After disengaging the autopilot gentle climbs, decents and turns are implied. With the RV you just have to think it and the plane responds, or so I thought. Much to my surprise, and I don't think there is an RV pilot alive that would agree, but the Bonanza was lighter on the controls and better feeling to boot. This was very surprising because the RV is simply known for feel and control harmony. The view, landing, fuel burn, and many other things lean to the RV. But in the end, I can't get my mind off the Bonanza and the comfort that comes with it. The Bonanza is a "Happening" for lack of a better way to put it. Leaning the seat back in the Bonanza just one click with the autopilot on and a cold "Mocha" to sip on is as close to a perfect flying moment as one can have. Well, that is until getting the power set on a long final where everything is just right. 3 miles out and hands off, the Bonanza will hold this all the way to the runway. This stability and ease of landing rivals the seat tilted and enjoying a cool drink enroute. It is just so smooth... Good heavens, it looks like I'm ready to give up performance and sell the fruit of 3 1/2 years spent in my garage for a 40 or 50 year old plane. Is there medicine that I can take to fix this affliction that will still allow me to fly, or is it to late?

Confused, ruined, and did I say confused?

Bryan

Welcome to the fold, brother.....<hands clasped in reverence>

PMC

Sounds like you are a done deal...it happened to all of us..

And in a short time someone will say, Bryan lets take my Baron around the block,and thats all it will take. Be Ready!

Bryan,

Please let me know if you find a Bonanza med. I have the fever, too.

I found the med it costs somewhere from 60,000 to 600,000 its not cheap just buy a Bonanza instead.

Yeah, I just kick myself for taking so long to figure it out

Bryan: I spent a few years in an RV-8. At the time, I was actually using it for commuting to Atlanta from Montgomery...and of course for play-time. Your analysis is pretty close to my opinion...although with the IO 550 my Deb is faster than my RV was. And once I put the TN in there is NO comparison in airspeeds.

I agree with the control balance on the Deb vs. the RV. The RV was great...and the Deb is every bit as good. And of course, the Deb is a far, far better IFR platform than the RV was. And the cabin in the Deb doesn't leak water like the canopy of the RV did.

Oh yeah, dispatch reliablility is far better in the Deb too. And of course, my wife likes the fact that we can throw another couple in the back seat of the Deb and travel with them.

I occasionally miss the ability to throw a slow roll on the airway but otherwise I've never looked back!

Beechcraft rules!

Jim

Brian

Guess that means you have not sold the RV-9A? I have only limited RV time, but would seem you need two planes, One to play with & one to haul people

Seems to me both handle well, but it is apples vs oranges comparison.

Shannon Evans
N5650S

I can vouch for the whole "Let's take the Baron up for a quick flight" issue....

Of course, then Russ has to go say "You should get the G600" (and I am eternally grateful that he did).

-jason

Jason,
How has the learning curve been for the G600?
How long before you felt at home with it?

Easy fix.....keep the RV for fun, have the Bo for fun and travel....


(notice I said easy, not cheap)


stan (who has waaaaay too many airplanes.....)

(Musick's law: the best airplane is the one your wife likes.

Musick's law #2: with one airplane dispatch reliability is 92%. With two it goes up to 94%. With three it goes down to 75%)

Awesome!