Why Van’s RV-14A?

Now, here is the real question.

Well, let’s start with another question. Why Van’s Aircraft company in a first place? I’ve looked other kit manufacturers as well as different construction materials and processes. I ruled out composite pretty quickly because of the process. I really didn’t want to spend five or more years of the construction time in my hot garage with breathing respirator on my face. It was too dangerous for the health since knowing myself I probably will ignore most of the health warnings dealing with composite sanding and in many cases would skip the respirator altogether. Aluminum construction felt more in my ally as I had somewhat more experience working with it. Although the smooth, sexy surface of the composite wing is unparallel. My hat’s off for the guys who built composite.

Van’s Aircraft strikes as a reputable company with good track record. Good record of reliability and predictability in the designs, construction process and safety records made it appealing. There are enough kits flying around the world to give me confidence that if I build to the design it will not fall out of the sky. I actually went to NTSB's site, searched for Van’s RV accident records for all time and read every single report from day one. I am not saying the other kit manufacturers are bad. No, not at all. I actually came across to some very interesting and appealing designs during my research. But for some reason I stuck to Van’s and more I tried to keep myself unbiased during my research the more I failed. For some reason, I was finding hard not to favor Van’s Aircraft. So, I just chose Van’s and finished my search.

The next search was for the right kit. I wanted all. I wanted the capabilities of RV-9’s long cross country, RV-7’s aerobatic abilities, RV-10’s 4 seat/person configuration and RV-14’s roomy cockpit with high visibility. Tandem sitting was not an option for me. It would be the end of the project if I would tell my wife she had to sit behind me 😊. So, side-by-side was already given.

Unfortunately, I had to drop RV-10 because of the price and length of time it would require to build. I was afraid that I would get discouraged mid project. It is by far the most expensive kit in Van’s lineup. I am still not ruling it out as a second kit if I decide to sell my first kit after I fly around a bit. Who knows?

I am not a hard core aerobatic type of guy. The reason I wanted RV-7 is just to have that extra envelop of controls in case I accidentally get into stole/spin or some other similar trouble. I just wanted to have the extra safety. But discussions with Van’s personnel led me to believe that all RV’s have good control surface sizes and availability of the controls should be sufficient with any kit I get from them. In addition, with the reliability and predictability of their design I shouldn’t even get to this situation. Once in a while I would like to do some loops but no hardcore aerobatics. That is decided for sure… I think.

This left me with a choice of RV-9 versus RV-14. Well, when the choice is between these two it became very easy to make. RV-14 had all the capabilities of RV-9, it is a cross country aircraft and although it isn't the primary function of the aircraft, also capable of light aerobatics. It is roomier than all previous two-sitter kits, and low canopy cut allowes better visibility. In addition, being the latest design and construction process with matched hole technology the choice seemed easy. The only drawback of RV-14 in my case was the price and the missing of slide back canopy option. For the price, I hope in time I will be able to put aside some money. I plan to buy a sub-kit at a time as I build. This would allow me to put some money aside monthly to afford the next kit.

    

As far as the issue of missing slide-back canopy, well, I guess I have to learn to love tilt up canopy, especially if it gives a better access to avionics.

The last choice I had to make was between RV-14 and RV-14A. In another word, do I want tail dragger or tricycle gear. As you might already know "A" in RV-14A stands for tricycle gear (there is a landing gear at the front of the aircraft) versus a small gear at the back. Although some people believe that “true pilot should fly tail dragger”, it isn’t really for me. I like to enjoy my all-around view when I taxi and tail dragger, I assumed, might limit my visibility. I've never been in tail dragger so hard for me to judge, but I felt safer in tricycle aircraft. In any case, I also felt more comfortable with tricycle so I went with it.

So, RV-14A became the winner.

Well guys and gals, here it is. The story of how I chose RV-14A. I started my project on May of 2017 and have a goal to complete it within 5 years, fingers crossed. I like to hear from you all as I know information on this page and in this website cannot be all accurate. I am sure others have different opinions on this and I love to hear them and have a discussion.

Blue skies everyone!