Jumbo
Well Known Member
Today I have got the RV-3A home from Hamm (EDLH) to it´s homebase Muenster-Telgte (EDLT); a 7 mins cummute. Conditions were all right just before more snow will kick in: wind 5-10 kts from the left and -2°C / 28°F (yes, the white stuff in the video is snow indeed). Did 3 flights (with the ´must have´ low pass - at ca. 50 ft though).
A quick video taken with an iPhone by a friend as a little teaser - just a proof that it really flies:
http://youtu.be/qK68OL7M42c
Some pics of the plane:
www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=750926&postcount=98
The plane is F U N !!! Light on the controls (eventhough the -4 was a little lighter on the aileron) however still very stable. Climbs like the proverbial ´homesick angel´ and accelerates really swift to cruise speed. In the light cross wind conditions with me at 215 lbs and 15 gals of fuel at ca. 70 kts over the fence and 65 kts over the numbers (you lose a bit of speed in the flare in these conditions). All very predictable with great authority.
I have flown a RV (the -4) the last time in September last year however it was a no brainer to transition to the -3 (I have flown other planes in that time though). However I do lose forward visibility in the flare (need to get used to this) so I sometimes wobble a bit left/right immedeatly right after touch down and roll out is ´blind´. Too, I need to zig zag during taxi (in the -4 with old gear legs I could peer over the nose).
This is a great day - I am a happy camper and looking forward to weather improve.
Thanks to Van´s for the design and Smokey & Co. for getting it checked out, ferried and containerized.
Best, ´a happy´ Heinz
A quick video taken with an iPhone by a friend as a little teaser - just a proof that it really flies:
http://youtu.be/qK68OL7M42c
Some pics of the plane:
www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=750926&postcount=98
The plane is F U N !!! Light on the controls (eventhough the -4 was a little lighter on the aileron) however still very stable. Climbs like the proverbial ´homesick angel´ and accelerates really swift to cruise speed. In the light cross wind conditions with me at 215 lbs and 15 gals of fuel at ca. 70 kts over the fence and 65 kts over the numbers (you lose a bit of speed in the flare in these conditions). All very predictable with great authority.
I have flown a RV (the -4) the last time in September last year however it was a no brainer to transition to the -3 (I have flown other planes in that time though). However I do lose forward visibility in the flare (need to get used to this) so I sometimes wobble a bit left/right immedeatly right after touch down and roll out is ´blind´. Too, I need to zig zag during taxi (in the -4 with old gear legs I could peer over the nose).
This is a great day - I am a happy camper and looking forward to weather improve.
Thanks to Van´s for the design and Smokey & Co. for getting it checked out, ferried and containerized.
Best, ´a happy´ Heinz
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