What are your thoughts on the -15 for a more typical GA mission.... not big tire back country?
Is it realistic to think that a builder might put smaller street tires on, or even some minimalist wheel fairing?
In my flying experience of all East coast, I've landed on grass quite a few times, but that's not what I would classify as back country...that's more like front country...and certainly doesn't need the big tires (drag & higher cost for replacement). I get that they can make landings more forgiveable, but I'm not thinking it's a great idea if they are never really needed
I really have NO idea where I would ever go to land on a gravel bar, or a beach, or true back country. I recon that describes quite a few pilots, but yet there seems to be a big trend lately for "back country beasts" (ala the AOPA sweepstakes C-170)
As I daydream about a retirement project in a few years, I've been leaning hard to the RV-14. Mission as I see it now would be cross country, short and long trips, for me and my wife. And probably quite a bit of local flights too. Low fuel burn and at least moderate cruise is important. Instrument capability is a plus.
A big tripping point for me is the canopy in the 14...really all the vans models. I get that they offer amazing visibility, but.... I'm drawn more to the -10 doors, or truthfully even more to the -15
I've grown very fond of a two-door configuration and windows that can be opened in flight. Most of my time is in high winged cessna models and I like the awning over the door, and relatively easy entry....although as I imagine using it as I get older, I'm warming to the low wing idea, mostly for refueling
So, I'm starting to consider that the -15 might actually fill my mission too....and even though it's probably a few years out, it might work out for my timeline...(although I have been thinking recently of getting started on some small sub kit(s) now, pre-retirement... Anyway, I haven't looked in great detail at it, but from my initial thinking, the only big tripping points I see for the -15 are high wing refueling and larger engine burning more fuel....
Is it realistic to think that a builder might put smaller street tires on, or even some minimalist wheel fairing?
In my flying experience of all East coast, I've landed on grass quite a few times, but that's not what I would classify as back country...that's more like front country...and certainly doesn't need the big tires (drag & higher cost for replacement). I get that they can make landings more forgiveable, but I'm not thinking it's a great idea if they are never really needed
I really have NO idea where I would ever go to land on a gravel bar, or a beach, or true back country. I recon that describes quite a few pilots, but yet there seems to be a big trend lately for "back country beasts" (ala the AOPA sweepstakes C-170)
As I daydream about a retirement project in a few years, I've been leaning hard to the RV-14. Mission as I see it now would be cross country, short and long trips, for me and my wife. And probably quite a bit of local flights too. Low fuel burn and at least moderate cruise is important. Instrument capability is a plus.
A big tripping point for me is the canopy in the 14...really all the vans models. I get that they offer amazing visibility, but.... I'm drawn more to the -10 doors, or truthfully even more to the -15
I've grown very fond of a two-door configuration and windows that can be opened in flight. Most of my time is in high winged cessna models and I like the awning over the door, and relatively easy entry....although as I imagine using it as I get older, I'm warming to the low wing idea, mostly for refueling
So, I'm starting to consider that the -15 might actually fill my mission too....and even though it's probably a few years out, it might work out for my timeline...(although I have been thinking recently of getting started on some small sub kit(s) now, pre-retirement... Anyway, I haven't looked in great detail at it, but from my initial thinking, the only big tripping points I see for the -15 are high wing refueling and larger engine burning more fuel....