7 vs 9 Tail Kit

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:58 pm

Hey all,

Quick question... Does the RV 7 and the RV 9 use the same tail kit or are there subtle differences? There is a 7 tail kit for sale near me that may be had real reasonable plus no shipping. I don't think anything has been done with it besides initial inventory of parts. A friends A & P (with his IA) was telling me about it.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Terry B

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:15 pm

If it's an original 7 tail, then it's the same as an 8 tail.

If it's one of the newer (larger rudder) tail kits, then I'm not sure if it's the same as a 9. Perhaps others can chime in with more info, or just contact Van's with a builder number from the person with the tail kit and they can tell you exactly what it will be.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:23 pm

The newer 7 tail kit will have the same rudder as the 9, but the horizontal stab and elevators are COMPLETELY different.

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:49 pm

Thanks for the replys. Was thinking that I could save a few $$ that could go towards something else. Anyways .... Ill just buy all kits from Vans and eliminate any probs with support or possible missing pieces.

For those that remember... Was hoping for the tail kit for x-mas but I got my wife under the tree instead (not a bad gift anyway). Got almost enough saved for tail and wing kits so order will be going out soon. Almost got my building space completed.

And I wont have to decide totally till fuse is ordered but leaning towards the 9 with the little wheel in the rear .......

Cheers, Terry B.

tmbg · Post by **tmbg** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:55 pm

Terry B wrote: For those that remember... Was hoping for the tail kit for x-mas but I got my wife under the tree instead (not a bad gift anyway).

Is this really filthy, or am I just reading too much into it?

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:34 pm

I kinda thought the same thing, but it's probably just the way my mind works...

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:13 pm

Santa Baby......

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:13 pm

Terr, why not the -7?

Just wondering what is swaying your decision.

CJ

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:57 pm

First, It must be your mind. I can see how you took it that way. My fault on the phraseology (but I do have to agree with the way you took it).

Sorry about that Spike, In this instance, NO PUN INTENDED.....(or is that pun intended?) oh well....

Hey Capt. I still working on my ticket, so by the time I have the plane completed, I will prob still be a newbie on the hours that I have logged in my book. Although the plane will be flown mostly on short runs, there are 200 to 500 mile cross countries that will be flown (hopefully pocket book cooperating, even longer flights). Therefore with my low time, cross-country flights and the fact that I will have to also get my tailwheel endorsement, I felt the 9 would be the best choice with it being a more stable flight platform,

Although the 7 is still in the back of my mind before taking the plunge to order the kit.

Comments?

Respectfully, Terry B.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:27 pm

Why not see if there's someone in your area with a flying 9 or 7 that might be willing to take you for a little intro ride.
That way you would have a better understanding on how each one feels, handles, fly's...etc.

For the amount of money you will end up spending, it's best to find out up front.

It also depends on what type of aviator you intend to be. If you think you will want to do a little acrobatics from time to time, then the 7 is what you will want instead of the 9. If your more of a straight and level pilot, then a 9 will fit the mission quite nicely too.

Again, my best recommendation is to try and get a ride in each, and ask to pilot it briefly to get a feel for each.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:05 pm

All true, Dave!

Terr, I have never flown in a -9. I was just wondering how you arrived at your decision.

I do want to go upside down from time to time (and maybe a bit more than that) so the -7 was right for me. Besides, I wanted a big engine from the start, so these 2 factors pretty much eliminated the -9 from my decision process.

...just wondering.

CJ

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:43 am

CJ,

I chose the 8 because I wanted centerline seating for the acro, and formation flying that I do a lot of.

At the time I owned my side by side Grumman, I figured that was pretty close to what an RV-6 was like. I got my first RV-8 ride from Scott, and I knew it was what I wanted to build after that first ride.

The 4 is a great solo plane for everything I like/need, but it falls short on room for comfortably fitting 2 plus baggage for a trip x-country anyway.

The 8 should fit all my wants and desires for me and I'm sure the 7 will be perfect for you CJ.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:23 pm

Terry B wrote:... Therefore with my low time, cross-country flights and the fact that I will have to also get my tailwheel endorsement, I felt the 9 would be the best choice with it being a more stable flight platform,

Although the 7 is still in the back of my mind before taking the plunge to order the kit.

Comments?

Respectfully, Terry B.

I don't think the 9 will be any easier to land than the 7. Once you get your tailwheel endorsement (probably in a Citabria or some such) you will find that landing the RV tailwheel airplanes is much easier than what you learned in. My tailwheel experience is in Aeronca Champs, Chiefs, and 65TC's. I've also flow Citabrias (still nothing but a Champ in my opinion) and the odd Super-Cub and Husky. I think that my RV-4 is far easier to land than any of those aircraft. I'm not expecting the RV-7 to be any different. These planes just roll straight.

All this to say that on the ground, the RV-7 and RV-9 will handle almost identically. In the air the only difference I've been able to gather is that the RV-9 will be slightly slower in cruise, slightly lower in landing speed, and slightly longer in float time in ground effect. And of course with the RV-9 you get performance on lower horse power engines than you would in the RV-7. If it's your skills you are worried about...I wouldn't. Get that tailwheel time, get some transition training with an RV instructor (this will make your insurance company happy too) and you will not have any problems.