Vans RV6A

[@garytrucinski8034]

You cant beat Mark when looking at GA reviews. Even with his "Cheat Sheet" he has such robust knowledge and information to share. Especial appreciate when he compares a feature between another plane. Mark, keep it up, we appreciate your work and respect your knowledge.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you very much.

[@Orzorn]

Any episode with an aileron roll is a good one!

[@woodwelder]

I had the chance to meet Vans at Aurora in Oregon. We would go to his factory to buy nuts and bolts for our projects. He took us on a tour of the facility… back in the 90’s !

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

That must have been very interesting.

[@RaceMentally]

Went out and bought a 6A after watching this. Still have watched this video at least 10+ times.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Best comment ever. Thank you.

[@RaceMentally]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 I wanted that Columbia you have for sale up there. But don’t know how easy it is to get a shop or parts for it down here in so cal. Let me know if you want to make a sweet deal on it.

[@michaelmelville7994]

Thoughts after 7 months of ownership? I’m wanting a 7A for the extra useful load.

[@RaceMentally]

@@michaelmelville7994 honestly I just sold my RV10 QB kit. Why? Because I love my 6 so much!!! For just me and the wife it’s the best damn thing. Fast, efficient, cheap, and can load it up and go. I’m 220-225, she’s 125-135 and full tanks and luggage we go anywhere. We do have a 3-3.25 hr limit though and that’s fine by us. When we left Tahoe a few weeks ago I was worried about DA and a FP with 160hp. I told the wife we need to be off the ground and positive rate by hangars. I left with 25gal and that thing leaped off ground and was doing 350-400fpm effortlessly. We absolutely love it. We also stopped in Columbia which is by Placerville and departed with another 6A. He was 195hp and CS prop. We were climbing the same but in cruise he had 10-13mph on me. I was satisfied with that to no end.

[@RaceMentally]

@@michaelmelville7994 best darn plane. We love it!!! Make sure you get an extensive annual by a VERY good AP. I will have dumped about $15k into mine since purchase after annual. But I’m an open check book person and things can be skipped. Mines in an annual/condition now. $10k worth. Engine pulled changing lines, gaskets, engine cage powder coated, re rigging some things etc. I decided to make this our forever plane until I’ve got it so good I have a jet. Till then this thing rips the sky’s and efficiently.

[@bjlynch64]

I own a RV 6A and it's a hell of an airplane!!

[@visibilityunlimitedmedia]

Mark, you do the best airplane reviews on KZbin. All the details that a pilot might be interested in are always covered! Your site is an excellent resource for anyone shopping for a GA aircraft. The video and sound quality is always top notch.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you like them!

[@boydw1]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 I agree that you make great videos, though I'll give you one friendly editing tip: Try to ensure the camera angle is logical to what you're saying. It can seem a little strange when you say things like "look at the visibility" while showing the external drone view, or "look at that snow" while we're looking at you. And being an RV6, I'm sure the plane would be disappointed if you DIDN"T roll it 😜

[@jamesburns2232]

It's a very petite tidy little airplane with nothing out of place on the IFR panel! Excellent! 😊

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Indeed it is!

[@trickedouttech321]

How does this channel not have at least 100k subs? If you are into aviation and aircraft there is not a better channel.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Everyone asks that. I do not know. How do we get the subscriptions up?

[@kenjohnson6137]

This is my 2nd favorite after the Mooney… The RV’s are popular in our area too and I’ve flown in a few…

[@Orvillehuit33]

You must be doing good. My son who is 4 years old and a man of few words. Enjoys your videos.. he even got excited when you laughed and got excited when you did the aileron rolls. He was giggle with you like he was there with you.. then he says I want you to take me to do this dad.. someday when I get my own plane perhaps ! Meanwhile thank you and keep up the great work

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you that's great.

[@stevenflattum156]

Great job as usual. The RV 4 actually has a deep baggage compartment behind the fold down rear seat.

[@PaulZapman2]

I got to meet Van and the team back in the 90's as well. Back when they were operating out of his small aero-estate. Fabulous plane and great people. They are coming out of Chapter 11 now and will be as strong as ever.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Good to hear that they will be as strong as ever.

[@robbytheremin2443]

Years ago, I heard a pilot describe his first flight in an F4-U Corsair as reminding him of his RV. It's no surprise they are so popular.

[@Coops777]

Thanks Mark. Great video and what a lovely little plane!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nkolbjornsen]

Wonderful video, Mark...as always.

[@dudieland]

My belief, probably the most practical home built kit on the market. But I like metal. Thanks for the demo

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

They are all metal.

[@waveydaveyav8r442]

Another AWESOME video, Mark! You never fail to amaze. Best part of THIS video? "...and it's enormously amusing...." EPIC! Nice landing! Like a butterfly with sore feet!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bruceme101]

Nice "RV Grin"! It is enormously amusing.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You got that right!

[@Stumpchunkman226]

Really enjoying this channel. Something about the setting lends a really inviting and relaxing feel to the videos. Great stuff!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Awesome, thank you!

[@quinnjim]

The tip up canopy is better in some ways. The metal support and bar really restrict your view on the slider. I prefer the unobstructed view. I taxi with my tip up canopy slightly open and it works great in the summer.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Right on

[@billadams8795]

Great video. Beautiful plane.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks.

[@JTEllis]

Excellent video!

[@gordonbuss1476]

This is the best review I have ever seen. Thank you

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@yamilcabrera2111]

Can’t believe you did the rolls so easily. I met a guy who has an RV 6 tail dragged and is taking me on it soon once out of annual. Looking forward to it.

[@GuardedDragon]

My dumb ass read “once out of annual” as in “we’re just waiting for the annual to expire” … 😂

[@gordonfeliciano4315]

You're having way too much fun in that RV! LOL!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It was quite fun!

[@williamkumley5135]

Now that's a beautiful plane!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It sure is!

[@davidcampbell2845]

Superb analysis as usual - great!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you, David!

[@Steve-ui1ej]

Xcellent video Mark. Always entertaining and informative. 👍

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks, Steve!

[@flysport_tedder]

you made those rolls look easy! clearly had fun too.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

There was only the one roll, but the video shows three camera angles. Very fun!

[@robertd4468]

I flew the RV8 and loved it. I’m sure the RV6 has similar characteristics, just a bit slower. Can’t beat the speed for the price.

[@jamesvelvet3612]

This one is $119,500usd

[@martinpretorius3692]

Hi Mark. If you can get your hands on a Glasair III for a review that would be greatly appreciated! Its still the most beautiful kit plane to grace the skies. Thanks for all the videos. Keep up the good work. :)

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes, I'd have to find one.

[@foesfly3047]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 I add my voice to this request. In fact any Glasair and Lancair model would be exceedingly interesting to get your perspective on 😎🎩♠️

[@ph5915]

Love RV's!!!

[@cisco0375]

Great video..seems like you really like flying this plane.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes I do!

[@hefeibao]

Thanks for this. I have been renting and looking at fractional ownership opportunities, this looks like a great acft to enter in for this purpose.

[@thomasaltruda]

4:22 you misspoke.. “left right both off” there is no “off”. Also the RV-4 DOES have baggage room behind the rear seat. You just can’t access it in flight. Also, the tail dragger has positive steering, you don’t only have differential brake steering with the tailwheel models. The tailwheel versions have springs pulling the tailwheel to match the rudder deflection.

[@ronstowe8898]

Love the rolls. You should do that in all the planes you review😂

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Not all planes are built for it, but we're glad you liked it, Ron!

[@letitrest4662]

Mark, good video but if I may too short, and I'd love to see the operation of the glass cockpit in more detail. The RV series of airplanes are a God send to general aviation. Too bad that this new economy is excluding so many to the point that the Vangrunsven company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The need for strengthening organized labor to be a voice for us all is really needed in America.

[@roderickbowes2482]

Hey Mark, You looked a lot more like JAMES BOND in this little rocket -- Lovely Airplanes are the RV family ! !

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

James is my older, but not better looking brother. We were trying to keep it a secret.

[@blancolirio]

Excellent Review Mark! What's a good approach speed/stall speed for this one?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I approach at 70 and land at 60. That ballpark. Stalls at about 50.

[@weekendflyer3673]

Same as skyway, in knots though. Not sure if his is mph

[@RaysDad]

Looks like it floated on ground effect during landing, much like a Mooney.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I always try to grease them when there is a camera around.

[@skyepilotte11]

Very nice.

[@nickm764]

Yeah I love my 6A as well, a fair review of one, I wish mine had those avionics in it though ;) the only stat I found to be suspect was the empty weight, I'd bet my eye teeth that one is closer to 1100 lbs empty.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I did approximate.

[@Martin-ql2bd]

Mark, have you flown a Rutan Quickie Q200 or a Long -EZ? These composite planes with only a100hp Lycoming 235 will cruise at 140 mph + top speed 180 while sipping 4gallons/hr

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I have not been in one of those but have access to one.

[@FlyingNDriving]

My understanding is all the "A" designation denotes the nose wheel versions. Great review but it felt incomplete without an interrupting phone call or you using the word "toob" but you made up for it with your 360° clearing turn. Also how dare those people walk their dog on the "road!"

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I know. It's not a dog park, it's a road.

[@mikebell6513]

My go to aviation vlog!

[@musoseven8218]

Another great video 👍✌️😊 Lovely aeroplane for a lovely day, I thought looking at the wing etc it would have a good roll rate etc. A fun aeroplane, gets you there quickly, it's IFR equipped, has AP, it's economical, what's not to like! Okay it's a bit twitchy like some fixed wing microlights and the canopy can be a mare in the heat, but over all a super aeroplane. I appreciate you using a crib sheet, your knowledge of types is clearly extensive but we are all ignorant to something and you fessed up. Everyday is a school day 👍😉😊✌️

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

My brain would explode if had to learn RV's in an hour.

[@rfichokeofdestiny]

Really nice scenery! Where was this shot?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It's in Northeastern California in the Sierra Nevada foothils at Placerville airport. 2570 feet elavation.

[@RogueAviator]

Can you share the app that displays the panel gages please?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The program is called Telemetry Overlay. - Don the Camera Guy.

[@philipritson8821]

I'm glad I don't have to build one (the RV-7 is easier to build) but my goodness I do like the look of well sorted RV-6.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

They are great. You always want one from a builder that has done a few and is very good.

[@philipritson8821]

Another homebuilt aircraft from that era I like is the Murphy Rebel (different design philosophy and mission I know, but a great aircraft nonetheless).

[@bigmuz_pilot]

My next plane 100%

[@MichaelVanHeemst]

You must have a pretty comfy parachute on

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes indeed.

[@hogey74]

Haven't seen one of your vids in ages! I blame YT and my rabbit hole of mountain bikes and related contraptions. These RVs seem like the flying equivalent of my MX5, but with power. There is something about your thoughts on these ones Mark, perhaps because of your wide interest in GA aircraft. It's making me think seriously about them.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

There has been a few.

[@StardustADV]

Would something like this be a good trainer? Or is it a little too responsive?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It would be a very good trainer.

[@StardustADV]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Awesome! Originally wanted to try to get a cessna as a trainer, but your video on this has conviced me that this is my dream first plane. I will try to get one in the next couple years and take ot with me to flight school.

[@iffyaviator]

Mark enjoy your videos, long time subscriber. Had a question what do you do to record your cockpit audio?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We shove a microphone inside Mark's earcup and record to a Tascam TR-10. - Don the Camera Guy

[@billbrisson]

love my RV6, so glad I didn't let the tail wheel scare me into getting an "A", I love the tailwheel RV6! Here's a link to my first landing at the Field of Dreams, the runway I built near my home. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inusgn2pr8tkmaM

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The tailwheels are really great planes. Easy taildraggers too.

[@Neil_]

Taildragger RV's almost always have steerable tailwheels, fyi.

[@AndyRRR0791]

front wheel fell off.

[@davidhames319]

So the plane is rated 6G plus 3G minus?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Not sure it is that high

[@philipritson8821]

Yup it's +6 and -3 for every RV except the 9, 12 and 10. The RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-7, RV-8 and RV-14 are all +6 and -3.

[@FlightSimDude]

👍

[@austinformedude]

Killing me not ground leaning!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Well it was running perfectly and it was a few degrees above freezing. I always do what the machine actually needs.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Why does your video stutter like a video game flight simulator when we see the external flying scenes? When the video started I thought we were looking at Microsoft Flight Simulator lol 😊

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You might have a slow video card. It didn't stutter for me.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The camera on the drone (Mavic 3 Classic), although good for the current state of technology, isn't as good as other "hand held" cameras. When moving sideways, you get what looks like a rolling shutter. It isn't a rolling shutter, but has to do with how the camera records data. - Don the Camera Guy.

[@seanmcgrath9537]

Great video, you are welcome to my RV7 anytime

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you.

[@ditto1958]

Van’s recently announced major financial issues and looked to be ready to go under

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

That is bad news indeed.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Well it's bankruptcy protection, so they are protected from Bankruptcy while they sort out the skin cracking from laser cutting problems. The most successful kit plane company ever is not going away.

[@Jetairplane]

Nice review, however banking more than 60 and/ or pitching more than 30 requires a parachute.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You are quoting 14 CFR 91.307. Section (c). This regulation states that, during aerobatic flight, all persons in the aircraft must have a parachute whenever people OTHER THAN CREWMEMBER(S) are carried. Therefore, when the only person on board is the pilot, and no others are carried, a parachute is not required. However, when a passenger is carried in an aircraft during aerobatics, all persons on board INCLUDING crewmember(s) are required to be wearing parachutes.

[@waynebeasley8700]

How does the cockpit width compare to, say, the 2 seater Grumman Americans?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

About the same but with a stick.

[@spiro5327]

Maybe a little too sensitive on the controls

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You get used to it.

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

1st

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Technically, I was first. - Don the Camera Guy

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 ok