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Vans RV8/8A
In 1995, Van’s decided to re-visit the tandem concept. Even
though the side-by-side RV-6/6A had become the most popular
homebuilt design ever, there was still a significant percentage of
pilots who really wanted centerline seating. The consensus
seemed to be that a new tandem airplane, optimized for cross-country
flying, would be popular.
The "concept airplane" was dubbed the RV-8. A one-of-a-kind
demonstrator was built in 1995 and introduced at Oshkosh. The
cockpit was several inches wider than the RV-4, so space both front
and rear was greatly improved. Really big people (high on the "bubba
scale") who could not fit in earlier RVs now had an airplane they
could fly. A front baggage compartment almost doubled the available
baggage capacity…and along with the usual compartment behind the
rear seat, actually gave slightly more space than the RV-6/6A. With
compartments both forward and aft, keeping the loaded airplane in
the allowable CG envelope was easier than ever. An upright seating
position under a big bubble canopy continued the RV tradition of
unparalleled visibility. Fuel capacity was increased again and the
engine compartment was designed to accept engines from 150-200
horsepower.
Although the wing looked and flew exactly like the RV-4 wing, it
was actually much simpler to build. Advances in manufacturing and
design capability, including the acquisition of computer controlled
machine tools, meant that the entire kit could be simpler, more
precise and much more pre-fabricated than ever before.
Performance was typically RV. With the same power, the RV-8 flew
and handled very much like earlier RVs, but with the bigger engines,
the numbers were even more impressive. It was now possible to
maintain cruise speeds over 200 mph and climb rates over
2500’/minute.
Exterior Dimensions |
Span |
24 ft |
Length |
21 ft |
Height |
5 ft 7 in |
Wing Area |
116 sq ft |
Weights |
Empty Weight |
1067 - 1120 lbs |
Gross Weight |
1800 lbs |
Loadings |
Wing Loading |
15.5 lb/sq ft |
Power Loading |
12 - 9 lb/hp |
Powerplant/Systems |
Engine |
150-200 hp |
Propeller [in prototype] |
Fixed or C/S |
Fuel Capacity |
42 US gal |
Other |
Baggage |
125 lbs |
RV-8A
Specifications TRIGEAR |
Exterior Dimensions |
Span |
24 ft |
Length |
20 ft 10 in |
Height |
7 ft 4 in |
Wing Area |
116 sq ft |
Weights |
Empty Weight |
1067 - 1120 lbs |
Gross Weight |
1800 lbs |
Loadings |
Wing Loading |
15.5 lb/sq ft |
Power Loading |
12 - 9 lb/hp |
Powerplant/Systems |
Engine |
150-200 hp |
Propeller [in prototype] |
Fixed or C/S |
Fuel Capacity |
42 US gal |
Other |
Baggage |
125 lbs |
Solo Weight
1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs |
160 hp |
180 hp |
200 hp |
Empty weight and performance
measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop |
Speed - Solo Weight |
Top Speed |
206 mph |
214 mph |
222 mph |
Cruise [75% @
8000 ft] |
197 mph |
204 mph |
212 mph |
Cruise [55% @
8000 ft] |
175 mph |
182 mph |
189 mph |
Stall Speed |
51 mph |
51 mph |
51 mph |
Speed - Gross Weight |
Top Speed |
205 mph |
213 mph |
221 mph |
Cruise [75% @
8000 ft] |
195 mph |
203 mph |
210 mph |
Cruise [55% @
8000 ft] |
173 mph |
180 mph |
187 mph |
Stall Speed |
58 mph |
58 mph |
58 mph |
Ground Performance - Solo
Weight |
Takeoff
Distance |
300 ft |
275 ft |
250 ft |
Landing
Distance |
350 ft |
350 ft |
350 ft |
Ground Performance - Gross
Weight |
Takeoff
Distance |
650 ft |
575 ft |
500 ft |
Landing
Distance |
500 ft |
500 ft |
500 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight |
Rate of Climb |
2,000 fpm |
2,300 fpm |
2,700 fpm |
Ceiling |
21,000 ft |
23,000 ft |
25,500 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight |
Rate of Climb |
1,400 fpm |
1,650 fpm |
1,900 fpm |
Ceiling |
18,500 ft |
20,500 ft |
22,500 ft |
Range |
Range [75% @
8000 ft] |
855 sm |
790 sm |
780 sm |
Range [55% @
8000 ft] |
1,030 sm |
955 sm |
940 sm |
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs |
160 hp |
180 hp |
200 hp |
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade
C/S prop |
Speed -
Solo Weight |
Top Speed |
204 mph |
212 mph |
220 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] |
195 mph |
202 mph |
210 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] |
173 mph |
180 mph |
187 mph |
Stall Speed |
51 mph |
51 mph |
51 mph |
Speed -
Gross Weight |
Top Speed |
203 mph |
211 mph |
219 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] |
193 mph |
201 mph |
208 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] |
171 mph |
178 mph |
184 mph |
Stall Speed |
58 mph |
58 mph |
58 mph |
Ground
Performance - Solo Weight |
Takeoff Distance |
300 ft |
275 ft |
250 ft |
Landing Distance |
350 ft |
350 ft |
350 ft |
Ground
Performance - Gross Weight |
Takeoff Distance |
650 ft |
575 ft |
500 ft |
Landing Distance |
500 ft |
500 ft |
500 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight |
Rate of Climb |
1,900 fpm |
2,200 fpm |
2,600 fpm |
Ceiling |
20,000 ft |
22,000 ft |
24,500 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight |
Rate of Climb |
1,350 fpm |
1,600 fpm |
1,800 fpm |
Ceiling |
17,500 ft |
19,500 ft |
21,500 ft |
Range |
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] |
845 sm |
780 sm |
770 sm |
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] |
1020 sm |
945 sm |
930 sm |
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