I'm not in a position right now to have time to build (two small kids), but the idea really appeals and I've thought about buying a built RV and seeing how I liked the ownership experience without committing 2000+ hours of construction time into an airplane that I might not like owning.

It's one thing to lose $25K or $50K buying and selling a plane that doesn't fit. I can go get more of those; I can't go get more hours...

Love to talk to a builder or two on here (in addition to at my local EAA chapter, which is fairly active) and hear people's thoughts on the idea of buying an RV (or other EXP-AB) from another builder. (in particular, how to pre-buy inspect)

I have been attracted to building one of those. There are lots of people at my airport (KPTW) who are building RVs or have built one & are flying them.

I own a 65 Deb, nicely equipped. It will cost $100K to build an IFR RV. I would be lucky to sell my Deb for that. Maintenance cost would be lower. I lose 2 seats. I do fly for business, sometimes taking coworkers. Can't imagine taking coworkers in the RV with "Experimental" plastered all over it.

Choices, choices. I will likely stay with the Deb.

Jim, I am a builder, flyer, & hopefully a seller of an RV8. I would be happy to try and answer any questions. 719-349-9622 cell Mountain time.

Kevin

I built an RV-7A a few years ago... let me know if I can answer any questions (I can PM you my number)... Getting someone that knows the type well to do the pre-buy would be essential.. there are McCrackens in the RV world too

A good resource for RV builders:

http://www.vansairforce.net/

Have you considered a labor/capital partnership to build one? If you have a active EAA chapter I bet there's someone with a time/money yin to match your yang. Avoids the buying an unknown quantity issue.

I have built and put about 10 experimentals in the air and have three going together right now.
If I wanted a good small dependable airplane, I would get an RV. They are the best experimental kit on the market and people know that.
In most cases they are easier to sell than a Bonanza. When one gets on the market, it sells quickly.
They get Bonanza performance with fixed gear and IO360 engines.
As far as instrumentation, you can put in SVT, moving maps, great displays, EMS, autopilots and radios at a small fraction on what a certified airplane owner will spend. When annuals come around any A&P can sign it off. If you built it you can apply for a repairmans certificate and sign the annual yourself.
To me, experimentals are, all Pro no Con!

The #1 aircraft in Central Arkansas is the RV - hands down. Every EAA fly in a couple of "swarms" appear (yes, in formation) with amazing paint. The a few more arrive later.

Once I start down the path of retirement, I'll be building one (unless the smaller glassair guys get my attention - a Super 2RG would be fun at 180+ KTS). Wife does not know - yet.

Question: is there an experimental which can carry as much and fly as fast and as far as a Bonanza? ALL 3 AT THE SAME TIME. (Epics and other turbine stuff not included).

Yuri, if you're referring to V-tail or F33, then yes.. RV-10 is neck and neck with it in all three... it may even beat the Bonanza on a few of those, but it's close enough that I consider them equal.

RV10 probably comes close.

Experimental planes are about greater adaptability to a given mission. Most designs exist to meet a need certified airplanes don't. Sometimes that is performance, sometimes that is cost. If you want something to do what a bonanza does ... it's pretty easy to find a plane that meets said mission at almost any price point. Additionally, the time/space involved to build something bonanza (at least A36) sized starts to outstrip reasonable single human abilities, or at least make certified choices more attractive.

You can always spend those 2000h earning your A&P ticket and then owning certified airplane becomes more affordable. It's not as cheap as experimentals but at least you don't have to pay $500 for replacing $0.28 o-ring in left main strut....

Same option available to do work under A&P supervision. Plus the RV10 is a lot more liquid than an A&P cert.

Go to the Vans site......there are probably a dozen or so folks in your area that would love to take you flying in their RV.

A good friend of mine is a transition training instructor....and built his RV-7. PM me if you'd like more details.

I passed on the RV10 to buy the A36. I had even purchased the tail kit for the RV10.

There simply is no comparison to an older (read lighter) A36 with TN and tip tanks when it comes to speed, range, and payload.

Would love to have an RV-8 though. The RV-7a I owned was 10x more fun to fly than the A36.