Photograph:
Vans RV-8 VH-DAF (c/n W276) at Camden, NSW in October 2011 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming IO-360 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.01 m (23 ft)
- Length: 6.4 m (21 ft)
- Height: 1.7 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 10.21 m² (110 sq ft)
- Max speed: 357 km/h (222 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 338 km/h (210 mph)
- Rate of climb: 579 m/min (1,900 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 6,858 m (22,500 ft)
- Stalling speed: 82 km/h (51 mph)
- Range: 1,482 km (921 miles)
- Empty weight: 494 kg (1,090 lb)
- Loaded weight: 816 kg (1,800 lb)
History:
The Vans RV-8 is another homebuilt produced by Vans Aircraft Inc of North Plains, Oregon, and, like some other models, is produced in two versions, the RV-8 with a tailwheel undercarriage, and the RV-8A with a tricycle undercarriage. Power plant used is the Lycoming IO-360, but engines in the 112 kw (150 hp) to 164 kw (220 hp) range may be installed. Seating is for two in tandem under a large sliding canopy. This model first flew in 1995 and since then has been made available in kit form, four sub-kits being available for those who wish to spread the cost out over a period. The RV-8 series is notable for having a longer fuselage, a rounded engine cowling, and a larger canopy.
By late 1999 over 900 kits had been sold. A number have been imported and built in this region and early examples registered include VH-XAT (c/n W276), later VH-DAT and VH-DAF; VH-JBE (c/n N441); VH-PVB (c/n 80273); VH-ZVL (c/n Q227); VH-SOG (c/n W254), later VH-CLG; VH-SOA (c/n W268); VH-SPT (c/n 80115); VH-WRV (c/n V364); VH-VRV (c/n 657A); VH-RCE (c/n 81036); VH-VMC (c/n 80639); VH-DAN (c/n V365); VH-NEK (c/n 80216); VH-KJS (c/n 82056); and VH-AKS (c/n 81280), etc. A number of examples have been completed in New Zealand.
Further models in the Vans series have become available in recent years, these including the RV-9 with a tailwheel undercarriage, and the RV-9A with a tricycle undercarriage, this series being an easy-to-fly, economical, versatile sportplane powered by an 88 kw (118 hp) Lycoming O-235-L2C engine. It has been followed by the RV-10, which is a four-seat low-wing all-metal touring aircraft fitted with engines in the 149 kw (200 hp) to 194 kw (260 hp) range. In March 2005 an RV-8 (N878DZ) flown by Mr W Randolph left Watsonville, California, on a flight around the world, in this region flying from Denpasar in Indonesia to Broome, WA, Cairns QLD and on to Noumea in early May. One example, modified by the builder, became known as the Grigsor RG-8.