Vans RV8/8A

In 1995, Van’s decided to re-visit the tandem concept. Even though the side-by-side RV-6/6A had become the most popular homebuilt design ever, there was still a significant percentage of pilots who really wanted centerline seating. The consensus seemed to be that a new tandem airplane, optimized for cross-country flying, would be popular.

The "concept airplane" was dubbed the RV-8. A one-of-a-kind demonstrator was built in 1995 and introduced at Oshkosh. The cockpit was several inches wider than the RV-4, so space both front and rear was greatly improved. Really big people (high on the "bubba scale") who could not fit in earlier RVs now had an airplane they could fly. A front baggage compartment almost doubled the available baggage capacity…and along with the usual compartment behind the rear seat, actually gave slightly more space than the RV-6/6A. With compartments both forward and aft, keeping the loaded airplane in the allowable CG envelope was easier than ever. An upright seating position under a big bubble canopy continued the RV tradition of unparalleled visibility. Fuel capacity was increased again and the engine compartment was designed to accept engines from 150-200 horsepower.

Although the wing looked and flew exactly like the RV-4 wing, it was actually much simpler to build. Advances in manufacturing and design capability, including the acquisition of computer controlled machine tools, meant that the entire kit could be simpler, more precise and much more pre-fabricated than ever before.

Performance was typically RV. With the same power, the RV-8 flew and handled very much like earlier RVs, but with the bigger engines, the numbers were even more impressive. It was now possible to maintain cruise speeds over 200 mph and climb rates over 2500’/minute.

RV-8 Specifications
Exterior Dimensions
Span 24 ft
Length 21 ft
Height 5 ft 7 in
Wing Area 116 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight 1067 - 1120 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading 15.5 lb/sq ft
Power Loading 12 - 9 lb/hp 
Powerplant/Systems
Engine 150-200 hp
Propeller [in prototype] Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity 42 US gal
Other
Baggage 125 lbs
RV-8A Specifications  TRIGEAR
Exterior Dimensions
Span 24 ft
Length 20 ft 10 in
Height 7 ft 4 in
Wing Area 116 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight 1067 - 1120 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading 15.5 lb/sq ft
Power Loading 12 - 9 lb/hp 
Powerplant/Systems
Engine 150-200 hp
Propeller [in prototype] Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity 42 US gal
Other
Baggage 125 lbs
RV-8 Performance
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
160 hp 180 hp 200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed 206 mph 214 mph 222 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 197 mph 204 mph 212 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 175 mph 182 mph 189 mph
Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed 205 mph 213 mph 221 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 195 mph 203 mph 210 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 173 mph 180 mph 187 mph
Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft
Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft
Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb 2,000 fpm 2,300 fpm 2,700 fpm
Ceiling 21,000 ft 23,000 ft 25,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb 1,400 fpm 1,650 fpm 1,900 fpm
Ceiling 18,500 ft 20,500 ft 22,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 855 sm 790 sm 780 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1,030 sm 955 sm 940 sm
RV-8A Performance
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
160 hp 180 hp 200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed 204 mph 212 mph 220 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 195 mph 202 mph 210 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 173 mph 180 mph 187 mph
Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed 203 mph 211 mph 219 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 193 mph 201 mph 208 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 171 mph 178 mph 184 mph
Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft
Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft
Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb 1,900 fpm 2,200 fpm 2,600 fpm
Ceiling 20,000 ft 22,000 ft 24,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb 1,350 fpm 1,600 fpm 1,800 fpm
Ceiling 17,500 ft 19,500 ft 21,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 845 sm 780 sm 770 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1020 sm 945 sm 930 sm