Almost a RV-14 Seating Mod by AntiSplatAero.com

[@timstreetrealestate]

I'm impressed by the ingenuity you bring to these airplanes. Thank you for all your great work!

[@StudioRV8]

at 17:15 you measure the distance to your eyes at 24in, and at 17:55, you measure it at 28in, than you proceed to claim an 8in gain! Sounds to me like a 4in gain, but I do understand the geometry of it. If you move the seat back 4in at the back rest, should be more than 4 in at your eyes, but I don't think it's 8in! Overall, really nice mod, and keep up the great work on terrific products!

[@MetaView7]

You should check your CG again. As you know, your head is quite thick and heavy, moving your head a few inch might upset the CG and make your aircraft unstable. This message is for Allan only. ;-)> I am surprised that nobody thought of this sooner.

[@grupovanix]

I think it is a great modification,,, we need more space,,, i am concern about CG too but i dont know if this can only correct with trim,,, you should ask vans for details.

[@tom110111]

Nice work!

[@aerobatickid]

very impressive. Way to innovate!

[@nealtrombley3955]

Alan how tall are you?

[@dizzydean2458]

Yes, please Alan, how tall are you? because it helps to know it it will be sufficient for really tall men - 6'4 plus ... Also, would itbe enough to "extend" an RV 6 for big boys? Thanks

[@douglasmcintyre3297]

AntiSplatAero: I don't mean to come across as a hater or mean spirited. In fact I am just the opposite; a caring, helping person with some kindhearted advice for you. A new set of bifocal glasses just for flying could solve your vision issue. See your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a new prescription. The RV-14 is already designed to give you more shoulder room and a wider cabin than earlier two-seat RVs. You must be pretty big to have to consider moving the seat back. As you know the RV-14's rudder pedals can be adjusted farther forward, allowing pilots with long legs to reach them properly. If you are normal height but have a larger than desired shoulder, waist and hip width, it may be a better overall option for you to adapt your body to the plane, rather than adapting the plane to your overweight condition. The latter is fairly difficult and compromises the fundamental design of the RV-14, so why not instead REALLY commit yourself to a fitness/weight loss program over the next six to twelve months. That way you would end up thinner, physically and mentally healthier with lower blood pressure and reduce illness and able to keep your flying privileges for much longer as you get older. That seems to me to be a better strategy than remaining unhealthy and overweight, sitting four inches farther back. Of course by moving the seat back four inches you with move the stick four inches farther away from, causing you to reach farther forward and putting strain on your back and shoulder. the modification you are doing will likely make it harder for you to sell the airplane if you lose your medical. You will shift the RV-14''s C of G farther aft than its original design, reducing the margin of controllability at high weights and extreme aft C of G by increasing the lift-weight force couple that will make the airplane less dynamically stable at low speeds and high angles of attack. You will also limit the useful load available for either a passenger or to fill the gas tanks, reduce both the volume and weight capacity of the baggage area and make it harder to get your suitcase or duffel bag out of the baggage area. In other words, you'll degrade the RV-14/14A design in multiple undesirable ways, just to improve it in a way that doesn't improve efficiency and deteriorates safety margins. If I were you I wouldn't fly that plane at/near near the maximum take-off weight on a hot day from a higher altitude airport. Not if I wanted to live much longer I believe I have demonstrated that you are making a lot of negative trade-offs, just to sit a bit farther back and be just a bit more comfortable. -Douglas M., Airport Operations Executive and Commercial and multi-engine-IFR rated captain, Surrey British Columbia

[@mcjon77]

Hi Douglas, I think that you misunderstood what airplane this video is for. The mod is NOT for the RV-14. It is for the RV-6/7/9 series. It is called an "Almost an RV 14 Seating Mod" because it makes an RV-6/7/9 cockpit feel ALMOST as big as an RV-14. I would agree that, considering the size of an RV-14 cockpit (it is basically as big as the Front seats of an RV-10), if someone need to make the above modifications to an RV-14 either they are a giant (probably 7 feet tall) or they are morbidly obese and have much more important (health related) issues to deal with. HOWEVER, since this is for the RV-6/7/9, the above doesn't really apply. This mod helps give a little extra room to for the OVER 5,000 RV-6/7/9 models flying. Obviously, adding extra room to an RV-6/7/9 is something that was needed for a significant number of pilots, or else Van's would have NEVER designed the RV-14.

[@douglasmcintyre3297]

I think overall the RV-14/14A are the best two-seat models Vans has come up with so far. Give up a few mph in the top end for enhanced creature comforts, while still maintaining the RV "brand" if you will, ie a plane with a lot of utility, from short takeoff/landing distances, impressively high cruise speed to sport aerobatic capability. The one change I would make to the RV-14 is to add another 15 or gallons (90 lbs) of fuel capacity, perhaps at the expense of losing the aerobatic capability, so a pilot could haul himself and a lighter weight passenger, 65 usg of usable fuel and full baggage a greater distance. This could be in the form of a pair of removable wingtip extensions like the Glasairs. As it is right now, the RV-14 is about a 3:30-3:45 plus VFR reserves airplane at high cruise, perhaps 4 hours or so at 65% power. Considerably less if flown in the IFR system.

[@nealtrombley3955]

what are you going on about? This is not a 14 mod or a `14 thread or post, DID You watch the video? Neal

[@SteveHouston]

Exactly.... Thanks for the unsolicited advise lol

[@RealGoldRealWealth]

Well Douglas here's some caring advice for you. Clearly Captain you misunderstood the factual contents of the video. The seat itself was not moved aft, the TILT of the back seat was inclined further aft. He checked the C of G on scales, there was no change. Go back to your Multi IFR job... and leave the engineering to people who know what they are talking about. His design improvement has been accepted by the RV community as having value, so unless you can add value to this conversation rather than only critiquing from the side-lines, butt out! Sometimes in life you need to be a bit cruel , or to be brutally honest, to be kind. I'm sure you mean well... most folks do, however for those of us who have perhaps made less than ideal dietary choices in our lives need to adapt in other ways. Yes I can hear you saying but if THEY would just listen to me... as I said yep you may have the best motivation for helping but your Nose High Attitude is getting in the way of your getting your message across effectively. Blue Skies.... that way you won't need the IFR bit!