I have a dream...Build, Learn, Fly! RV-12

[George]

Nice one Rudi. Pity there will not be a follow up build....

Congrats..... none the less....

[Marc G]

Hi Rudi,

I must say, you guys have done a really nice job... I really like the colour scheme!

For those who are planning on building an RV12,

Just remember that in the "real" cruise, you will get about 105-110kts. 117kts is not realistic, as 23.5 inches of Manifold pressure, 5500RPM (max continuos for Rotax 912), and 20.5 litres/hr is just about max power... If you run your engine like that in the cruise, you are really hammering it. This speed is the Vh (max straight and level speed). Usual cruise power settings for the 912 are in the region of 21-22.5 inches of manifold pressure, and 15-17litres/hr. The RV12 is a nice aircraft, but not a normal "fast" RV... slow and steady, but economical to run. If you want a faast RV, but one of the others...

I have flown many 912 powered aircraft (as well as test flown this particular aircraft), as well as almst every type of RV. I'm not putting people off the aircraft, but buy it for economy, not speed. If you do, you will be disappointed.

If you are considering buying an RV, my advise is as follows: the RV4, 6, 7, 8 are the most fun (fast and manouverable), with the RV9 as a nice meduim fast, easy to fly cruiser, and the RV10 as a stable, fast commuter. The RV12 is a cheap, patch aircraft... fun to build, cheap to fly.

Not trying to offend anyone, just giving an independant, unbiased view.

Cheers,

Marc

[RudiGreyling]

Hi Mark thanks!

You can hardly call yourself unbiased seeing you fly and instruct on a Sling.

I'll take the bait on your speed and hammering comment!

Just to educate the masses:
There is A big difference between MaX continues RPM and Max continues POWER.

Looking at the Rotax Performance Graphs will reveal the difference.
Let me show by example the specs achieved in the RV12 with this specif flight in question and plot it on the Graphs:
RPM = 5490 lets call it 5500RPM
MAP = 23.5
FUEL Burn = 20.5
Altitude = 5500ft

Firstly Some Gerenal Rotax info. To make Max Continues power you need to burn 25 liters/hour. This flight burned 20.5 l/h which is +/- 20% less. So we are not at Max Power.

Rotax Ops Man_1.JPG

Max continues speed is 5500 RPM

Rotax Ops Man_2.JPG

Here is a graph if you have a VP Prop on, to make Max continues POWER @ 5500 you need to pull 27 MAP! We are only pulling 23.3 MAP so it is NOT making MAX Cont Power.

Rotax Ops Man_3.JPG

Looking at the REAL PERFORMANCE graph applicable here. 5500RPM @ 5500 ft only delivers 40KW instead of a possible 75KW. Not the Comment Highlighted: “The engine allow operation with Fully Open Throttle over the WHOLE rpm range, WITHOUT LIMITATION. BUT full throttle performance above 5500 rpm is limited to 5 minutes.

Rotax Ops Man_4.JPG

CONCLUSION: Although the engine is turning fast 5500, it is not “getting hammered” because it is not making full continues power, 5500ft altitude is to blame.

Regards
Rudi

[RudiGreyling]

Some feedback,

We have a couple of owners that have started their NPL training with an approved instructor and school.
Yesterday our first member had gone SOLO. He was in 7th heaven.

Maybe he will report back his feelings here below...

Regards,
Rudi

[JacoP]

Silence..........I kill you.....

[bladerunner]

Maybe he will report back his feelings here below...

What can I say - you only get to do that 1st flight once and this will stick with me forever.

The circuit itself went great and it was only after I had vacated the runway that it really hit me. And it was great! There is no emoticon with a grin wide enough to match what I had on my face made even better knowing that I had a hand in putting our little steed together. And of course the fact that we could use her again after my 1st solo was even better! (one of our group did ask me that right away...)

The learning continues and I am glad to report that she is a magic little flyer - thanks to all of the guys who helped put her together and of course the biggest thank you must go to Rudi who started this whole mess!

[RudiGreyling]

Maybe he will report back his feelings here below...

<SNIP>

The learning continues and I am glad to report that she is a magic little flyer - thanks to all of the guys who helped put her together and of course the biggest thank you must go to Rudi who started this whole mess!

My Pleasure, that is exactly why I did it, giving back to the hobby I love, glad it is working out for you guys!

[Ugly Duckling]

Gerrit Lambert – Bladerunner & one of the RV-12 builders after his solo! Congratulations.
Paul Kinsley was his instructor

[bennie]

Nice one Gerrit!

Bennie

[Peter L]

Maybe he will report back his feelings here below...

What can I say - you only get to do that 1st flight once and this will stick with me forever.

The circuit itself went great and it was only after I had vacated the runway that it really hit me. And it was great! There is no emoticon with a grin wide enough to match what I had on my face made even better knowing that I had a hand in putting our little steed together. And of course the fact that we could use her again after my 1st solo was even better! (one of our group did ask me that right away...)

The learning continues and I am glad to report that she is a magic little flyer - thanks to all of the guys who helped put her together and of course the biggest thank you must go to Rudi who started this whole mess!

Hi G,

I've just seen June's numbers after the number crunching by the Mrs ... Assuming you went solo at the end of that lesson, your hours tally on XII were 10.7 at the time of going solo

Very well done buddy, that is going to be hard to beat

Peter

[Peter L]

... And this morning another one of the Team went solo

Congratulations J, please let us know about how it went when you've come back down to earth.

Peter

[ibeaton]

Go boys, two down, eight to go.


Peter, when are we going to hear about your progress?

A story or two of some interesting l;earning experiences would be good.

Ian

[Peter L]

It has been a long time since anyone has added to this thread ... and although I'm no longer a shareholder in ZU-XII, I thought I'd add a few photos.

It would seem that our paint design & colour scheme, which was a genuine 10 man effort, is proving popular. Two American builders have painted their RV-12's exactly like XII

[bennie]

Hi Peter

It is indeed an excellent color scheme for the RV12..............

Bennie

[Peter L]

Bumping this thread while I remember to ensure it is not lost ...

P