This little bird continues to impress me. The figures below are 1/2 fuel (10 gallons) and my 6'1" 210 pound (with clothes on
, and Leatherman in pocket ) frame in the left seat.
Cruise speed of 130MPH seems to be the sweet spot for the engine and prop combo @ 4,800 - 5,000 RPM burning 3.8 GPH.
Top Speed is 138. (Actual top speed is classified)
Stall w/flaps around 43MPH, straight away, crisp, not much buffet warning (Dynon stall warning works great), easy recovery by releasing back pressure on the stick.
Take off roll, no wind, 40F is approx. 500'.
Landing roll, no wind, 40F is approx. 400'.
I have had take offs and landing rolls of less than 200' with a 15 MPH head wind. The -12 certainly wants to fly.
What is remarkable about this plane (to me anyway) is the controllability at low speeds. I have been practicing to get my landings "on the numbers" spot on every time and realized I need to slow this plane down in the pattern, typical of RV's. I now start on down wind about 75MPH 1/2 flaps, base is 65 full flaps, final is 60 FF, and over the fence at around 55-58 MPH. This give me plenty of remaining lift for a safe and controllable flair & touchdown on the mains only. The flapperons, stabilator, & rudder all still have exceptional authority at these speeds.
Yesterday, I took my first passenger up and the numbers were as advertized for stalls (48 MPH) performance at near gross. We notice the plane was a little bouncey due to afternoon thermals, but then we got in his -9a and felt about the same bounce, but the -9a seemed to cut though the thermals a tad better. The -12 is a much lighter plane and it acts like it in turbulance, nothing bad, just a light plane. The roll rate is faster in the -12 due to the large area of flapperons, both planes are a joy to fly.
The RV-12 is a simple, and safe airplane to fly. Quite honestly, I cannot think of anything I would change about the flying characteristics, or flight controls, except maybe adding roll trim. Van's has "hit the nail on the head" with the RV-12 entry into the E-LSA market.
If anyone has any other specific questions feel free to PM or e-mail me.
Build on!