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Got the Commercial - in the RV!

Scott Will

Scott Will

Well Known Member
Haven't posted in a while. But figured I'd share some good news. Today I passed the Commercial ASEL checkride in my RV-7A! Like others who've gone before me, I did the instrument rating in the RV. But there's no feeling like successfully completing TWO checkrides in the airplane you built.

A little background if you're wondering how the commercial could be done in an RV, especially one with only 180 hp and fixed pitch prop. I did the Commercial Multi-Engine (initial) back in October in the Seminole. I was thinking of doing an accelerated CFI/CFII/CFMEI program but before I did it needed the Comm ASEL. The flight school said I could get the Comm ASEL in a C172 for $1100. I said, whoa... I could fly my RV for many, many, many hours for that price and perfect the commercial maneuvers.

I think it was the first Commercial ride Clyde did in an RV (at KMDQ). We went through the gamut of Chandelles, Lazy 8's, 8's on pylons and quite a number of landings (short, soft, emergency, power off accuracy, crosswind, etc). The only small ding was for using some top rudder when settling into the 8's on pylons but I think that habit came from some formation work. Other than that, he was again impressed with the RV performance - especially the climb!

If you need a commercial single add-on, go for it in the RV.
 
Congrats Scott:)
I am almost thru the IR and am moving right on with the Comm and into the CFI, I took my CFI up in the 8 and went thru some comm maneuvers before I took her for paint. I think I will be able to do alot of practice in the 8 but don't think I will get to to the check ride. So good for you :D
All the Best
 
awesome

Awesome Scott! Congrats!

I have heard people not recommending doing a commercial ticket in a RV because of how responsive it is (I guess). But it sounds like you had no problem.

Chris.
 
Exactly.....

loopfuzz said:
Awesome Scott! Congrats!

I have heard people not recommending doing a commercial ticket in a RV because of how responsive it is (I guess). But it sounds like you had no problem.

Chris.
Click to expand...

.....the reason you have to fly to Commercial pilot standards in order to smoothly fly an RV.

A big congrats, Scott.

Regards,
 
Congrats

I am hearing through a few sources that there is in the works a new rule that will allow getting a commercial ticket in a TAA (technically advanced aircraft) as opposed to a complex aircraft. This is what I'm waiting for since mine will most likely qualify (it did for insurance) and will save a ton of money instead of paying for a C182RG (our CAP plane). Not too many RG's out there for rent anymore and none of the new SEL aircraft coming off production lines have retractable gears.
 
OK.. not to start anythng.. but if an amateur-built aircraft cannot be used for commercial purposes, I'm curious how it could be used to take a commercial checkride?

Good to know though!

Scott Will said:
Haven't posted in a while. But figured I'd share some good news. Today I passed the Commercial ASEL checkride in my RV-7A! Like others who've gone before me, I did the instrument rating in the RV. But there's no feeling like successfully completing TWO checkrides in the airplane you built.

A little background if you're wondering how the commercial could be done in an RV, especially one with only 180 hp and fixed pitch prop. I did the Commercial Multi-Engine (initial) back in October in the Seminole. I was thinking of doing an accelerated CFI/CFII/CFMEI program but before I did it needed the Comm ASEL. The flight school said I could get the Comm ASEL in a C172 for $1100. I said, whoa... I could fly my RV for many, many, many hours for that price and perfect the commercial maneuvers.

I think it was the first Commercial ride Clyde did in an RV (at KMDQ). We went through the gamut of Chandelles, Lazy 8's, 8's on pylons and quite a number of landings (short, soft, emergency, power off accuracy, crosswind, etc). The only small ding was for using some top rudder when settling into the 8's on pylons but I think that habit came from some formation work. Other than that, he was again impressed with the RV performance - especially the climb!

If you need a commercial single add-on, go for it in the RV.
Click to expand...
 
N523RV said:
OK.. not to start anythng.. but if an amateur-built aircraft cannot be used for commercial purposes, I'm curious how it could be used to take a commercial checkride?

Good to know though!
Click to expand...


I think it can't be used for commercial because there is no certification testing done, so the FAA doesn't consider EAB "safe" enough for commercial use. That doesn't mean an individual plane or style of EAB doesn't qualify as a plane suitable to take an appropriate test ride in (such as SEL).
 
Matt, there are waivers....

.....that allow commercial use of EAB's.....I have one for Transition training. A friend of mine does aerial photography with one. How? He's not charging for the airplane....he's charging for his talent and the photography.

Regards,
 
N523RV said:
OK.. not to start anythng.. but if an amateur-built aircraft cannot be used for commercial purposes, I'm curious how it could be used to take a commercial checkride?
Click to expand...

Probably the same reason you can use a Diamond DA-20 for an instrument rating (including the checkride) but the airplane is not approved for IFR flight.

Hey man, it's the FAA...it doesn't have to make sense. :)
 
pierre smith said:
A friend of mine does aerial photography with one. How? He's not charging for the airplane....he's charging for his talent and the photography.
Click to expand...

This goes a bit off topic, but then you (I don't mean YOU, but generally anyone) could run a escort service.... kind of? You are just paying for the company, not the flight itself. :D
 
Commercial Requirement

I've also heard that if you fly instead of driving on a business trip and take an employee or co-worker who is 'on the clock' a commercial rating is necessary. That's another good reason to get the rating.
 
Cool

Congrats Scott..Now CR in a TAA..That could be good...Not sure how to limit myself to 45 degrees on the lAzy 8's though..:)

Frank
 
Yeah my flight instructor had me initially try to do them at 30 deg bank. I convinced him through demonstration that 45 or more works better! I also convinced the examiner that the RV can easily and quickly climb to smooth air at 6500' so we can do those maneuvers without all the bumps. After that we spiraled down thru a hole in the clouds for the emergency landing demonstration.
 
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