Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 06:00 AM - RV-9A v. Lightening (deuskid)
2. 07:32 AM - Re: RV-9A v. Lightening (Pete)
3. 08:14 AM - Re: RV-9A v. Lightening (Nickilos Wolfer)
4. 08:44 AM - Re: RV-9A v. Lightening (N1BZRich@AOL.COM)
Message 1
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| Subject: | RV-9A v. Lightening |
--> Lightning-List message posted by: "deuskid" <empire.john@gmail.com>
I'm in the 'consider' stage of building. I may be needing x-c several times a
month [~500 nm one way] and I like composites [I considered a canard originally]
but it is difficult to ignore Vans.
I sent the spreadsheet attached to the lightning website contact email on 8-7 with
RV-9A info asking them to populate it with their info for comparison purposes
but haven't heard from them.
I have some questions re: the Lightening
can it be equiped IFR w/ auto pilot?
what are the cockpit dimesions?
how many are flying and how many being built?
the website shows both the sport and the full Lightening to use the same engine
so can a 'regular' be converted to sport at a later date without much modification/cost
if necessary?
Thanks in advance.
John
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=55150#55150
Attachments:
http://forums.matronics.com//files/rv_9a__lightening_109.xls
Message 2
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| Subject: | RV-9A v. Lightening |
--> Lightning-List message posted by: "Pete" <pete@flylightning.net>
Hello John,
The Lightning can be equipped with IFR instruments and an autopilot.
Cockpit is 44 inches wide.
There are 4 flying and 26 sold to date.
It is not within the rules to "convert" a non LSA compliant plane to a LSA
compliant one as the rule states the aircraft must have been "originally
certificated and continuously operated" within the parameters of light sport
to be flown by a pilot with light sport privileges.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Pete Krotje
Arion Aircraft, LLC
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of deuskid
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:00 AM
Subject: Lightning-List: RV-9A v. Lightening
--> Lightning-List message posted by: "deuskid" <empire.john@gmail.com>
I'm in the 'consider' stage of building. I may be needing x-c several times
a month [~500 nm one way] and I like composites [I considered a canard
originally] but it is difficult to ignore Vans.
I sent the spreadsheet attached to the lightning website contact email on
8-7 with RV-9A info asking them to populate it with their info for
comparison purposes but haven't heard from them.
I have some questions re: the Lightening
can it be equiped IFR w/ auto pilot?
what are the cockpit dimesions?
how many are flying and how many being built?
the website shows both the sport and the full Lightening to use the same
engine so can a 'regular' be converted to sport at a later date without much
modification/cost if necessary?
Thanks in advance.
John
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=55150#55150
Attachments:
http://forums.matronics.com//files/rv_9a__lightening_109.xls
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: RV-9A v. Lightening |
--> Lightning-List message posted by: Nickilos Wolfer <wolfern@andrews.edu>
I have also been looking at the lightning and wondering what type of
baggage compartment space there is? From the pictures on the
lightning website it does not look like much.
thanks
Nick
On Aug 16, 2006, at 10:32 AM, Pete wrote:
> --> Lightning-List message posted by: "Pete" <pete@flylightning.net>
>
> Hello John,
>
> The Lightning can be equipped with IFR instruments and an autopilot.
> Cockpit is 44 inches wide.
> There are 4 flying and 26 sold to date.
> It is not within the rules to "convert" a non LSA compliant plane
> to a LSA
> compliant one as the rule states the aircraft must have been
> "originally
> certificated and continuously operated" within the parameters of
> light sport
> to be flown by a pilot with light sport privileges.
>
> Let me know if you have more questions.
>
> Pete Krotje
> Arion Aircraft, LLC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
> deuskid
> Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:00 AM
> To: lightning-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Lightning-List: RV-9A v. Lightening
>
> --> Lightning-List message posted by: "deuskid"
> <empire.john@gmail.com>
>
> I'm in the 'consider' stage of building. I may be needing x-c
> several times
> a month [~500 nm one way] and I like composites [I considered a canard
> originally] but it is difficult to ignore Vans.
>
> I sent the spreadsheet attached to the lightning website contact
> email on
> 8-7 with RV-9A info asking them to populate it with their info for
> comparison purposes but haven't heard from them.
>
> I have some questions re: the Lightening
>
> can it be equiped IFR w/ auto pilot?
> what are the cockpit dimesions?
> how many are flying and how many being built?
> the website shows both the sport and the full Lightening to use the
> same
> engine so can a 'regular' be converted to sport at a later date
> without much
> modification/cost if necessary?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> John
>
>
> Read this topic online here:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=55150#55150
>
>
> Attachments:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com//files/rv_9a__lightening_109.xls
>
>
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: RV-9A v. Lightening |
John,
Pete has answered your basic questions, but let me add a few personal
thoughts that might help you decide between the RV-9 and the Lightning. But
before I do, please understand that I have only flown the Lightning prototype
-
not an RV-9. I have flown an RV-3, but no other RV models. I do have lots
of flying time in close to 100 different airplanes including lots of
experimental / sport aviation types. I have built two airplanes of my own and
am
helping building an EAA chapter airplane at present. I have restored several
Vintage aircraft (two were Oshkosh and Sun-N- Fun champions), and am a long
time EAA flight advisor and technical counselor. Lastly, I am in no way
connected to the Lightning folks, other than being a happy customer for one of
their
other aircraft kits (Esqual) and a Jabiru engine. So here are some thoughts:
-First off, I would think that the stated cruise speed of 175 for the
Lightning is probably closer to a 65% power setting. The problem is that Jabiru
has not provided a percent HP chart for the 3300 engine. Ben (Pete's son) is
working on that with the Jabiru factory guys, but obviously it is not one of
their highest priorities.
-The stall speed for the Lightning will depend of which version you build.
The "regular / fast" version has a gross weight of 1425 pounds and the stall
at gross is 54 to 56 clean or 44 to 46 with flaps. The Light Sport version
has a 1320 gross and the stall will be 47 to 49 clean or
38 to 40 with flaps.
-Looking at the RV-9 chart you sent, I would think the Lightning performance
would fall between the 135 HP and the 160 HP "Nine". The exception would be
in fuel burn. The 3300 Jab is a great little economical engine and will
certainly burn less fuel.
-I think your final decision should certainly include the amount of time,
effort, and dollars you want to put into getting your airplane up and flying.
The Lightning kit and Jabiru should get you in the air much quicker (as
little as 5 to 6 weeks if you use their builders assist program and their
painter). Final cost will depend on how you equip the panel, but a new Jabiru
3300
engine is probably less dollars than a rebuilt Lycoming.
-One final thought: Which one looks best to your eye?
Good Luck on your decision. Let us know how it goes.
Blue Skies,
Buz Rich
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