RV Model: Van’s RV-8 “The Valkyrie”, N188PD
Quick Build Wings and Fuselage
Standard Bubble Slider
S/N: 82133
Location: Dayton, NV (A34) or Big Bear City CA (L35)
Asking Price: $ 159,900
IFR/VFR: IFR
Why selling: My RV-8 is ready for a new home – now that I have an F1, my faithful RV-8 will not be getting enough flight time. Built in 2004-2005, it has traveled the country reliably and without significant issues. Many in the RV community know this as “The Valkyrie”. It has been featured in many articles on VAF, in Kitplanes Magazine, and in other publications such as the RViator. We have too many airplanes and can’t keep two tandem planes for traveling .. so as much as I hate to part with what was going to be my “forever airplane”, it needs to find a new home.
Total Time (hrs) on airframe: 2285
First flight date: October 2005
Original Builder (y/n)?: Yes
Empty Weight (lbs):1100
- CG (empty weight - inches from datum): 76.88””
- date of last weighing: 16 August 2020 (calculated)
Year painted: 2006 with JetGlo Single Stage
- Painted by: GLO Custom
Engine Make/Model: Mattituck
- HP: 180 HP Model: 0-360-A1A - Serial#: 49-8
- Total Time Since New (hrs): 2285 (Hobbs time)
- Time Since Overhauled (hrs): 833 Since Top Overhaul (New Lycoming Cylinders)*
- Ignition: Dual PMag
- Carb/FI: Carb
- Exhaust system: Vetterman cross-over
- Engine Purchased from: Mattituck (Long Island, NY)
- Engine Assembled by: Mattituck
- Date of last compression check: Warm Engine 30 April 2026
- - Cylinder #1: 78/80
- - Cylinder #2: 74/80
- - Cylinder #3: 78/80
- - Cylinder #4:77/80
* Original cylinders were ECI Cerminil. At about 1400 hours time in service, the rings delaminated (known ECI issue), causing increased oil consumption. Cylinders could not be easily honed, so new standard Lycoming cylinders were installed and have been flawless.
Other unique features FWF:
Monkworkz Standby Alternator
Prop:
- Make: Whirlwind WW-300 3-blade composite constant speed
- Model: CS300-L72
Hub Design: 3B-CS300
Hub SN: 3B-CS300-1025
Blade Design: CS300-3B-72
Blade SN: CS300-3B-72-1073,1074,1075
-Flaps (manual / electric): Electric
-Rudder Trim (manual / electric): None
-Elevator Trim (manual / electric): Electric
-Aileron Trim (manual / electric): Electric spring bias (Van’s Design)
-Strobes Make/Model: Whelen LED
-Landing Lights Make/Model: Whelen LED
-Age of tires/tubes: Replaced Mains two years ago. Tailwheel is lightweight with anodized hub
Avionics:
Grand Rapids Avionics HX EFIS (2)
Grand Rapids Avionics EIS4000
GRT HUD
Avidyne 440 IFR WAAS GPS with Comm and VHF Nav
Garmin GTX 345 Mode S Transponder with ADS-B Out and In
PS Engineering PS7000 Intercom
Icom 210 Comm 2 Radio
Backup analog ASI, Altimeter, G-Meter, clock
Annunciator Panel
TruTrak Pilot two-axis autopilot
EI Commander to monitor P-Mags
Infinity Stick Grip (front seat)
Interior: Cloth Seats/Carpet/Seat Belts & Crow 5-point harnesses with Camloc buckles
Modifications:
Interior storage cubbyholes for pilot
Rear battery access panel
Rear Seat booster platform
Acessories:
Bruce’s Canopy Cover
Rear Seat Rudder pedal kit (not installed)
Real World Cruise Figures: @ 11,500’ MSL
168 KTAS at full throttle, 2500 rpm, burning 8.0 gph
Past incidents/repairs/damage repair:
Stop-drilled small crack on bottom of belly skin
Canopy replaced once due to major crack
Current canopy has a small stop-drilled crack that has been stable for ten years.
Numerous repairs to wheel pants over the years
Taxiway nose-over required engine evaluation, prop replacement – all parts checked fine.
Service bulletins/Change notices that have been complied with:
-Complete Engine, Avionics & Airframe Logs up to date
Date last Condition Inspection: 30 April 2026
Maintained by: Paul F. Dye, Builder, A&P, FAA DAR
Date aircraft last flown: May 2026
Willing to deliver: Y_X__ N_X__ (Depends on Location)
Special Considerations:
Because the tail emblem is copyrighted and can only be used by NASA Flight Directors, buyer will be requested to remove it as soon as convenient. (The buyer won’t want to explain having it anyway…)
The aircraft is currently hangared in Southern California at Big Bear City airport (L35). Seller can meet serious buyers for examination there, or aircraft can be moved to Dayton, NV – please call to discuss.
The aircraft has been used as an avionics test bed over its lifetime, so there are wiring scars behind the panel – it is not a pristine harness!
Personal contact info:
Name: Paul F. Dye
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 713-882-8375
