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Vans RV9/9A
The
RV-9/9A is designed to be an easy-to-fly, economical, versatile
sportplane.That’s not too surprising, since all previous Van’s
airplanes, including the the RV-4, RV-6, RV-7, and RV-8 are
versatile, economical sportplanes, too. But with the RV-9A Van’s has
chosen to view the words the versatile and the economical
from a new perspective.
To some, the RV-9/9A seems to be a “downward
shift” from previous RVs. We don’t see it that way. Van’s has always
striven for “Total Performance”; the ability to do as many things as
possible well. But all airplanes are compromises, and no matter how
versatile, each is biased toward a particular “mission.” We have
noticed that blazing speed and “wring-it-out” aerobatics are not
primary interests for many pilots. Their day-to-day flying consists
of local trips and short cross-countries, with only occasional long
flights. The RV-9/9A was designed to do its best in this
environment. The performance it provides is useable every day. It’s
so easy to fly that low time pilots can make a quick and painless
transition. Its short field performance permits it to easily use all
the “fun” airports around. When it’s time for that long
cross-country, the RV-9/9A will get you there and back almost as
quickly as many of the “go-fast” designs.
What sets the RV-9/9A apart from other RV designs? The most obvious
change is the new wing. It is longer and narrower than the wings of
the RV-4/6/8 series, and uses a new Roncz airfoil. While the
enlarged wing area at 124 square feet is only 12% greater, the span
has been increased by 5 ft. The flaps are a long span, slotted, high
lift design that allows the airplane to land slower than many
primary trainers.
The fuselage is
nearly identical to the cabin of the RV-7/7A airplane with the only
difference being the wing attach points. A simplified constant-chord
horizontal tail is employed, while the vertical tail surfaces are
larger than those of other RVs.
The RV-9/9A’s
efficient airframe does not need a lot of power to perform well. The
increased wing span provides a better span loading, which means that
it will climb well on low power and glide a long way. (Think of the
long slender wings on the most efficient airplanes of all…high
performance gliders.) Low overall drag means a smaller engine can
pull it along at relatively high top speeds, or, more practically,
at useful cruise speeds using little fuel. We demonstrated this when
we chose a 118 HP Lycoming (the same engine used in the Cessna 152)
to power our prototype. The result is an efficient airplane with
excellent short field capability, respectable cruise speed, and good
fuel economy. But we also engineered the airframe to accept the 160
HP Lycoming O-320. With this kind of power, the RV-9/9A becomes a
real performance tiger! Higher speeds and climb rates are available
without sacrificing low speed performance or handling. Think of it
as another demonstration of the RV-9/9A's versatility...you can
tailor it to fit your wants and needs.
Big slotted flaps and generous wing area let the RV-9/9A land slow
and very short.
Exterior Dimensions |
Span |
28 ft |
Length |
20 ft 5 in |
Height |
6 ft |
Wing Area |
124 sq ft |
Weights |
Empty Weight |
1015 - 1057 lbs |
Gross Weight |
1600 - 1750 lbs |
Loadings |
Wing Loading |
12.9 - 14.1lb/sq ft |
Power Loading |
13.6 - 10.9 lb/hp |
Powerplant/Systems |
Engine |
118 -160 hp |
Propeller |
Fixed or C/S |
Fuel Capacity |
36 US gal |
Other |
Baggage (118, 160hp) |
75 lbs |
RV-9A
Specifications trigear |
Exterior Dimensions |
Span |
28 ft |
Length |
20 ft 5 in |
Height |
7 ft 10 in |
Wing Area |
124 sq ft |
Weights |
Empty Weight |
1028 - 1075 lbs |
Gross Weight |
1600 - 1750 lbs |
Loadings |
Wing Loading (118, 160hp) |
12.9 - 14.1 lb/sq ft |
Power Loading |
13.6 -10.9 lb/hp |
Powerplant/Systems |
Engine |
118 -160 hp |
Propeller |
Fixed or C/S |
Fuel Capacity |
36 US gal |
Other |
Baggage (118, 160hp) |
75 lbs |
Performance figures for 135hp engine are
estimates.
Solo Weight 1350 lbs
Gross Weight 1600 - 1750 lbs |
118 hp |
135 hp*
|
160 hp |
Empty weight and performance measured with fixed pitch
propeller |
Speed -
Solo Weight |
Top Speed |
173 mph |
180 mph |
197 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] |
167 mph |
175 mph |
189 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] |
151 mph |
158 mph |
169 mph |
Stall Speed |
44 mph |
44 mph |
44 mph |
Speed -
Gross Weight |
Top Speed |
172 mph |
178 mph |
196 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] |
166 mph |
174 mph |
188 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] |
150 mph |
157 mph |
168 mph |
Stall Speed |
48 mph |
49 mph |
50 mph |
Ground
Performance - Solo Weight |
Takeoff Distance |
350 ft |
325 ft |
300 ft |
Landing Distance |
250 ft |
275 ft |
300 ft |
Ground
Performance - Gross Weight |
Takeoff Distance |
525 ft |
500 ft |
475 ft |
Landing Distance |
355 ft |
410 ft |
450 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight |
Rate of Climb |
1,200 fpm |
1,450 fpm |
2,000 fpm |
Ceiling |
17,500 ft |
20,500 ft |
24,500 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight |
Rate of Climb |
1,000 fpm |
1,150 fpm |
1,400 fpm |
Ceiling |
14,500 ft |
16,000 ft |
19,000 ft |
Range |
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] |
875 sm |
745 sm |
710 sm |
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] |
1,035 sm |
910 sm |
860 sm |
Solo Weight 1350 lbs
Gross Weight 1600 - 1750 lbs |
118 hp |
135 hp*
|
160 hp |
Empty weight and performance measured with fixed pitch
propeller |
Speed -
Solo Weight |
Top Speed |
171 mph |
178 mph |
195 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] |
165 mph |
173 mph |
187 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] |
149 mph |
156 mph |
167 mph |
Stall Speed |
44 mph |
44 mph |
44 mph |
Speed -
Gross Weight |
Top Speed |
170 mph |
176 mph |
194 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] |
164 mph |
172 mph |
186 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] |
148 mph |
155 mph |
166 mph |
Stall Speed |
48 mph |
49 mph |
50 mph |
Ground
Performance - Solo Weight |
Takeoff Distance |
350 ft |
325 ft |
300 ft |
Landing Distance |
250 ft |
275 ft |
300 ft |
Ground
Performance - Gross Weight |
Takeoff Distance |
525 ft |
500 ft |
475 ft |
Landing Distance |
375 ft |
410 ft |
450 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight |
Rate of Climb |
1,150 fpm |
1,400 fpm |
1,900 fpm |
Ceiling |
17,000 ft |
20,000 ft |
24,500 ft |
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight |
Rate of Climb |
950 fpm |
1,100 fpm |
1,400 fpm |
Ceiling |
14,000 ft |
15,500 ft |
18,500 ft |
Range |
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] |
865 sm |
735 sm |
700 sm |
Range [55% @ 8000 ft]
|
1025 sm
|
900 sm
|
850 sm
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