Jim Simpson - RV4, R8
Friend and I started the RV-4 Sept 1987 finished Sept 1988. He did all the technical stuff and I did most of the "no brainer" grunt work. We purchased the kit from a builder who had the wings built by Art Chard of Van's Aircraft. Built simple and light with an O360-A1A, Warnke prop and tall gear.
In another life I flew RF-4C's with nothing more than a line and a heading on a map at 500' and 500 kts so I
felt comfortable navigating throughout the U.S. in the RV with minimal avionics, ie radio, transponder and a Sectional. No GPS back then and I flew too low for VOR's to be effective. Sold
in 2009 after 850 enjoyable hours.
After a 9 year absence I decided to get back into flying. I waited three years to purchased this RV-8 from
a reluctant seller. I wanted this one because like my RV-4, it was clean and simple. O360-A1A, Sensenish fix pitch prop, D-180, Garmin 495 and altitude hold. Have since added
an iFly 740 GPS and redid the interior with carpet for a more finished look. Also added a Doug Bell tailwheel. Doug Weiler ferried it to Fleming. Tom Berge provided retraining
and regretfully I think, signed off my BFR. If I can master the master the landings I will be one happy camper. Can you spell "S-E-N-S-T-I-V-E!
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