Van's Aircraft RV-9

infobox Aircraft
name = RV-9
type = Kit aircraft

manufacturer = Van's Aircraft



caption =
designer = Richard VanGrunsven
first flight = December 1997
introduction = 2002
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced =
number built = 375 cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/flights.htm|title = First Flights|accessdate = 2008-03-28|last = Vans Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = March]
program cost=
unit cost = USD$44,000-$82,000
developed from =
variants with their own articles = The Van's RV-9 and RV-9A are two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplanes sold in kit form by Van's Aircraft. The RV-9 is the tail-wheel equipped version while the RV-9A features a nose-wheel.

The RV-9 was built around a newly-designed high aspect ratio wing, featuring a Roncz airfoil. It is similar in size and weight to RV-6 and is externally similar to the RV-6 and the RV-7. cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/rv-9int.htm|title = Van's RV-9/RV-9A|accessdate = 2008-09-10|last = Van's Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008] cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/rvkitpla.htm|title = Introduction - About RV Kitplanes|accessdate = 2008-09-21|last = Van's Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008] .

Development

The architect of the line of Van’s aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven, designed the RV-9 as a departure from the concepts of the earlier RV series. The earlier members of the RV series, starting with the single seat RV-3, were all designed to have light handling, aerobatic capabilities along with fast cruise speeds and short field STOL capabilities. The RV-9 was designed from the start as a two-place, side-by-side, touring aircraft and as such it forgoes the aerobatic capabilities and the lighter handling for more stability and economy. As such the design horsepower is 118-160 and the prototype was flown with a Lycoming O-235 powerplant of 118 hp as a proof-of-concept for the lower horsepower.

As a result of the lessons learned over the years in producing the first five RV-series designs and the change in role for this aircraft, the RV-9 design incorporated many changes over previous designs.

The RV-9A was the first to use what Van's calls 'matched-hole' components in that airframe parts are formed to the required contour and have all the rivet holes precisely located. The assembly jigs normally used to ensure alignment are not necessary and build time is much reduced. Later models such as the RV-7 and RV-10 use this same manufacturing technique.

Compared to the similar RV-7, the RV-9 has a wing of increased span and higher aspect ratio using a Roncz airfoil. The RV-9 has a slow stall speed, comparable to the Cessna 150, and docile handling suitable for low-time pilots. The cruise speed is a very respectable 167 mph TAS even with the 118 hp engine.

The RV-9 shares many common parts with the RV-7 and the RV-8 which reduces production costs. Like those aircraft, the RV-9 uses computer assisted design to produce a kit with pre-drilled rivet holes, thus greatly reducing assembly time for the builder.

The RV-9 is unique in Van’s aircraft history in that the tricycle gear RV-9A version was flown first on June 15, 2000, three years before the tail wheel version flew. The later conventional landing gear equipped RV-9 was first flown by its designer in 2002. The RV-9A features solid circular spring steel landing gear with the nosewheel mounting tube welded to the engine mount. As in all nose-wheel equipped RV aircraft, the nosewheel is free castering and the aircraft is steered with differential braking. The brakes are mounted conventionally on the rudder pedal toes.

By March 2008 375 RV-9s and RV-9As had been completed and were flying.

Aircraft Type Club

The RV-9 and RV-9A have a very active aircraft type club "Van's Air Force" that provides support for owners and pilots of these aircraft.

pecifications (RV-9A)

Specifications are given for 118 hp, O-235 configuration with a fixed pitch propeller aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=one pilot
capacity=one passenger
length main=20 ft 5 in
length alt=6.28 m
span main=28 ft 0 in
span alt=8.62 m
height main=7 ft 10 in
height alt=2.39 m
area main=124 ft²

area alt= 11.5 m²
empty weight main=1057 lb
empty weight alt=478 kg
loaded weight main=1,750 lb
loaded weight alt=795 kg
max takeoff weight main= 1,750lb
max takeoff weight alt= 795kg
engine (prop)= Lycoming O-235 or Lycoming O-320
type of prop=fixed pitch
number of props=1
power main= 118-160hp
power alt= 88-119 kW

max speed main= 173 mph at sea level

max speed alt= 280 km/h
never exceed speed main= 210 mph
never exceed speed alt= 338 km/h
range main=875 statute miles at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ft

range alt=1,418 km at cruise 75% power at 2,500 m

ceiling main=14,500 ft

ceiling alt= 4,400 m
climb rate main=1,000 ft/min

climb rate alt=5.1 m/s
loading main=12.9 lb/ft²

loading alt= 65 kg/m²

ee also

Related development

* Van's Aircraft RV-6
* Van's Aircraft RV-7

imilar aircraft

* Europa XS
* Grumman American AA-1
* Thorp T-18

References

External links

* [http://vansaircraft.com/ Van's Aircraft]
* [http://vansaircraft.com/public/rv-9int.htm RV-9 on Van's Aircraft Website]
* [http://www.vansairforce.net Van's Aircraft Type Club]