Prospective RV4 owner, concerned about handling characteristics with a passenger.

[luca1s]

Hi all! Hopefully this is in the right place, I wasn’t sure whether to post in RV4 or Northeast.

I’m a lurker finally trying to buy my first RV. I’m a 150 hour PPL (~100 tailwheel, I largely trained in and still fly a Citabria), no instrument rating and currently just looking for a fun VFR airplane.

I’m currently choosing between a used (already flying) RV-4 and RV-6. My mission is primarily long VFR cross countries, and the occasional very light aerobatics.

In general, I’d rather the 4. The lower price is obviously a plus, I enjoy the tandem layout in the Citabria and it’s also quite the pretty airplane.

I do occasionally fly with a passenger though (maybe 30% of my flights or a bit more) and I am attached to being able to do so without much worry. I’ve obviously read about the 4’s CG limitations and seen a lot of you list your own backseat limitations in existing threads. The “maximum of 6’2 and <200 lbs” I’ve seen repeated a bunch is totally fine for me. (I myself am 6’1 170, so I should fit in the back okay?)

However, the handling characteristics near the aft CG limits do worry me slightly. From the descriptions on here…it sounds somewhat tricky to manage and considering my own lack of experience, I’d love to actually see how it feels before I buy. I’m in Maine, currently based out of SFM. Any of you guys know of any owners nearby who might be willing to take a prospective buyer up to see how the -4 feels with 2 people?

If it ends up being fine, I’ll choose the 4 over the 6 and start finding the right plane!

 

[rvjl]

I'm in the privileged position of being able to regularly fly both a 4 and a 6. The 6 is by far the superior aircraft for flying a passenger both in terms of CG loading and passenger comfort. The 4 that I fly is on the heavier end but having an IO360 + a CS prop means that it'll tolerate more aft load than a 'traditional' 4 with an O320/wood prop. Despite this it is still very easy to go out of the CG limits flying an adult passenger and a reasonable fuel quantity. The 6 on the other hand(with an O320 and CS prop) is still within CG limits with an adult passenger, full fuel and a reasonable baggage load. Both aircraft are very pitch sensitive at their aft most CG limits.

I'm 6'3" and just fit in the 4, but I can't take my feet off the pedals. The 6 is a more comfortable machine for me when travelling solo. Aerobatic performance is very similar but nothing beats sitting on the centreline. Go and try both for size and see what you think

 

[RBD]

Fun VFR plane, you say? You’re in the right place! I had an RV-4 as my first plane, and then an -8, and now a -6. The 4 is still my favorite; however, CG issues aside (which are a valid concern,) it was the worst for backseat passengers. The optional passenger footwells help a ton, but there is no getting around the fact that it is a smaller space. The 6 is much better for passengers, IMO. Either way, you’re gonna love the RV compared to a Citabria!

 

[climbak]

I've done XCs in my 4 loaded quite aft and it's fine (in mine specifically), just more sensitive and make sure your trim lever has enough friction if it's manual. Like others have said, passenger comfort (and pilot for that matter) is much better in the bigger or side by side models.