Van's Aircraft RV-8
{{Short description|American kit aircraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = RV-8
|logo =
|image = VansRV-8C-GERV02.jpg
|caption =
|type = RV-8
|manufacturer = Van's Aircraft
|national_origin=United States
|designer = Richard VanGrunsven
|first_flight = 1995{{cite web|url= http://vansaircraft.com/public/rv8.htm |title= Total Performance RV Kit Planes |publisher= Van's Aircraft |access-date= 2012-08-21}}
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user =
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 1611 (November 2021){{cite web|url = https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/first-flights.htm|title = First Flights|access-date = 18 November 2021|last = Vans Aircraft |date = November 2022 }}
|developed_from = Van's Aircraft RV-4
|variants =
}}
File:Vans RV-8A N98VR Hondo TX 2007 Jun 02.jpg
The Van's RV-8 is a tandem two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft sold in kit form by Van's Aircraft. The RV-8 is equipped with conventional landing gear, while the RV-8A version features tricycle landing gear. The design is similar to the earlier RV-4, although it is larger than that earlier model.{{Citation | last = Downey | first = Julia | title = 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory | section = Kitplanes | volume = 24 | number = 12 | date = December 2007 | page = 77 | publisher = Primedia | ISSN = 0891-1851}}.Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Vol. 28, No. 12, December 2011, p. 74. Belvoir Publications. {{ISSN|0891-1851}}Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, p. 125. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. {{ISSN |1368-485X}}
Development
Richard VanGrunsven designed the RV-8 series as an updated, larger tandem aircraft based on the RV-4 design concept. The RV-8 first flew in 1995 and was first shown publicly at Oshkosh that year.
The RV-8 incorporated changes as a result of lessons learned in producing the popular RV-4 design. The RV-8 airframe accepts larger engines from {{convert|150|to|210|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, including the {{convert|210|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming IO-390.{{cite web|url=https://www.vansaircraft.com/rv-8/ |title=Van's RV-8 |publisher=Van's Aircraft|access-date= 27 September 2020}} The RV-8 also has increased wingspan and wing area over the RV-4, as well as greater cockpit width, headroom, legroom and an increased useful load, all with a view to accommodating larger pilots. Like the RV-3 to RV-7 that preceded it, the RV-8 is stressed for aerobatics.
The RV-8 series was intended from inception to include a nose-gear-equipped version designated the RV-8A. The RV-8A was first flown in 1998
As of November 2022, 1,611 RV-8s and RV-8As have been completed and flown.
Specifications (RV-8)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Van's Aircraft{{cite web|url=http://vansaircraft.com/public/rv8specs.htm |title=Van's Aircraft - RV-8 Specifications |publisher=Vansaircraft.com |access-date=2012-08-21}}{{cite web|url=http://vansaircraft.com/public/rv8perf.htm |title=Van's Aircraft - RV-8 Performance |publisher=Vansaircraft.com |access-date=2012-08-21}}
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=one
|capacity=one passenger
|length m=
|length ft=21
|length in=0
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=24
|span in=0
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=5
|height in=7
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=116
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=1120
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=1800
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|42|u.s.gal}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Lycoming IO-360
|eng1 type=four cylinder, horizontally opposed piston aircraft engine with fuel injection
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=200
|eng1 shp=
|prop blade number=
|prop name=
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=221
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=210
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=at 75% power at 8000 feet
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=58
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=940
|range nmi=
|range note=at 55% power and 8000 feet
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=22500
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1900
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=15.5
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
|avionics=
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See also
{{aircontent
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|similar engines=
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.vansaircraft.com/rv-8/}}
- [https://www.avweb.com/features/kitplanes-feature-how-the-rv-8-came-to-be/ How the RV-8 Came to Be - AVweb]
{{VansAircraft}}
Category:1990s United States civil utility aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1995