The Auster is currently out of action while we wait for the alternator, so getting my fixed wing fix is difficult. However – a couple of days ago I had a great opportunity to fly with the chairman of the SAC in his immaculate RV6A in order to get some photos for an article I’m putting together.
I’ve always liked RVs, but have never flown in one and I have to say, I was totally and utterly smitten. It helped that we had a gorgeous winter’s day and were flying over spectacular highland scenery. There had been a fresh fall of snow that reflected the light from a low sun, creating beautiful orange hues on the hillsides.
We were flying in formation with an RV12, which had local photographer, Wallace Shackelton on board, trying to capture us in the RV6 as we flew by, in knife-edge, with the dramatic, mountainous sides of Loch Tay as a back-drop. Trying to co-ordinate this with the much slower RV12 ( fitted with a Rotax 912 ) was pretty entertaining, but we had great fun and all the way out there, Dave was showing off the rolling abilities of the RV6 to pass the time. I was impressed. That thing rolls as fast as a Pitts S1. It’s quick.
After we’d taken the pictures, Dave opened up the throttle and we headed back for Perth. He very kindly let me take control and have a play. It handled like a dream – effortless – beautiful – a joy and with 2300 rpm set, there we were cruising happily at 145 knots indicated! It was a far cry from the Auster.
In case you’re wondering, Dave’s RV6 is cleared for aerobatics and once over lower ground he asked me if I’d like to try a loop. Well, yes, I said, with a grin that must have said it all.
‘Just go from straight n level – no need to touch the power.’ He told me.
I picked a nice line of trees to orient on and after a quick set of HASSEL checks, squeezed the stick. That’s all it needed – just a squeeze. Up and over we went in the most effortless and beautifully round loop I think I’ve ever done. There was hardly any need to touch the pedals and hardly any conscious feel of pressure on the stick, though enough feedback to let you know what was going on. The world drifted by sedately above our heads and down we came through our prop wash. It was just beautiful.
The controls are so gloriously harmonised and the power so smooth, I honestly think it’s the nicest aeroplane I’ve flown. The Pitts is a joy, it’s true; a noisy, hot, rude, in your face, mad little biplane that is one of the best ways to burn money I can think of, but this felt, I don’t know – somehow more grown up and refined. Aerobatics are clearly on the agenda with the RVs and that’s coupled with a real go places capability and short field performance, which makes for a very hard to beat combination.
If I only had the money………….
The Auster Diaries 