Can a Vans RV-6 outrun a 201 Mooney

[Skybrd]

I was at Porterville last Saturday and saw a clean RV-6 airplane. I asked the pilot what engine it had and speed it ran. He had a Lycoming 0320 that was producing 160 hp and I think he said it would do 160 knots. I noticed that it didn't have retractable gear but did have wheel pants. My question is: can that airplane outrun a Mooney 201 that has higher horsepower and retractable gear. Do you know if there has been a race to vertify who is faster? I would think the Mooney would go faster.

[Ron McBride]

A friend of mine has an RV 6 Tail Dragger with an O-360. It will outrun my F easily.  Don't put much money on a bet, you may loose.  Some have fixed pitch props and may not be as fast.

Ron

[Skybrd]

Quote: N9154V

A friend of mine has an RV 6 Tail Dragger with an O-360. It will outrun my F easily.  Don't put much money on a bet, you may loose.  Some have fixed pitch props and may not be as fast.

Ron

[Bolter]

Quote: Skybrd

I was at Porterville last Saturday and saw a clean RV-6 airplane. I asked the pilot what engine it had and speed it ran. He had a Lycoming 0320 that was producing 160 hp and I think he said it would do 160 knots. I noticed that it didn't have retractable gear but did have wheel pants. My question is: can that airplane outrun a Mooney 201 that has higher horsepower and retractable gear. Do you know if there has been a race to vertify who is faster? I would think the Mooney would go faster.

[kerry]

     The RV is a small plane.  I took a ride in my friends RV-7 and you look out the window and it seems like there's no wings compared to the mooney's 35 foot wingspan.  I would guess the 201 is at least 800 lbs heavier.  With all that said i think it's very impressive the mooney keeps up with the RV.

[RJBrown]

http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-6per.htm Built right it should easily out run a 201.

[KSMooniac]

An RV-6 *can* outrun a 201, but as you might guess from the posts above, it will depend on how well it was built (ie straight and rigged right) as well as if it is a tailwheel or nosewheel version, and especially the engine and prop combo.  

I started out building an RV-6 tail kit many years ago, but life got in the way and I had a case of mission creep which eventually helped me come back to a Mooney with 4 seats.  I'm still happy with my decision, although RV's are really good airplanes!

[Immelman]

I'd put my money on the RV.

 

[triple8s]

I worked on a homebuilt for about 5 yrs when life got in the way, I had my engine being overhauled by a mechanic. It's O-200 so I had it built certified incase something happened and I didnt finish the plane I could sell the engine. One day I was called by the mechanic, he said he was working on a Mooney which was for sale and that it was really nice and I oughta look at it. Well I did and havent done anything to the homebuilt since 2008. I know a fellow who like many, deviated from the plans, he scratch built a retractable (tri) landing gear. Some builders speculated how it would be much faster than the fixed gear planes. It wasnt and most people believe the extra weight is the reason. If this is true then the Mooney vs RV comparison is in the RV's favor due to weight, and IMHO the longer wingspan. I have read of a few cases where there have been in flight airframe failures in RV's and our Mooney's even though we cruise easily in the yellow and orange arc, there has been few, very few inflight airframe failiures. We also are surrounded by a STEEL rollcage, take away this over engineering, and the story may be a different one, but if I were purely interested in speed? I would be driving a Lancair. I attached an interesing read.

http://www.vansairforce.net/safety/G-GNDY.pdf 

I believe the Mooney is the best mix of speed, strength, economy, appeal and I'll gladly trade a few knots for that.

Mike

[aviatoreb]

Quote: Skybrd

I was at Porterville last Saturday and saw a clean RV-6 airplane. I asked the pilot what engine it had and speed it ran. He had a Lycoming 0320 that was producing 160 hp and I think he said it would do 160 knots. I noticed that it didn't have retractable gear but did have wheel pants. My question is: can that airplane outrun a Mooney 201 that has higher horsepower and retractable gear. Do you know if there has been a race to vertify who is faster? I would think the Mooney would go faster.

[rbridges]

they look so small and light.  I would think in most cases the RV would win.

[John Pleisse]

Here's an RV 7A with an E model Mooney.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVeBY4gRA8

 

[johnggreen]

I had a friend who built and owned an 0-360 RV-6.  I flew the airplane several times and we mad a couple of cross country trips together. It would true 175 knots all day long.  I would put my money on a well built O-320 powered RV-6 being slightly faster than a 201 and smoke any E model.

The more interessting comparison would be the 201 and a 225 HP Beech Debonair.  I suspect they would be neck and neck.

Jgreen

[rbridges]

Quote: N4352H

Here's an RV 7A with an E model Mooney.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVeBY4gRA8

 

[Skybrd]

If the specs of the RV-6 are right, they are faster. Your probably right, it's the light weight and short wings. A few years ago an RV-6 crashed at Inyokern, Ca from a stall approach turn. The pilot and passenger lived but the plane was a total wreck. I thought there might be an extra danger with the RV-6 concerning approach stall problems.  When I looked at the Porterville RV-6 and mine, I was sure mine could beat the pants off of it, but I'm probably wrong. About 25 years ago I had a M20A Mooney and was flying side by side with a Vari-Eze. I was running about full throttle and the Eze got tired of flying next to me and gunned it. He left me in the dirt and then as he was leaving me, rolled it and kept going. I guess you would say he smoked me.  

[DaV8or]

If they made a retractable RV-7 or 9, I'd be tempted to trade. I really don't need back seats.

[Hank]

Then just get a C or E!     My "back seats" are mostly just decorations anyway, kind of like a vertical divider in the cargo bay. I have personally never sat there, even in the hangar.

[rbridges]

I looked at glasairs and RVs when I bought my mooney.  I didn't know how well they handled cross winds, and I wasn't sure what their stall speeds were with the smaller wings.  I figured I'd kill myself in a smaller faster plane.

[John Pleisse]

Quote: rbridges

wow.  that RV7 shot right past him.

[Robg]

 

Here are the results of the 2007-2011 sport air racing league races, by aircraft type. It looks like the RV's smoke the Mooneys by 15-20kts, but a lot of these RVs are souped up and flown by experienced racers.  The Mooneys obviously have fewer modification options to boost speed.

 

http://www.sportairrace.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/112211aircraft.xls

 

[N601RX]

The Sam James cowl is a popular speed and looks upgrade for the RV's.  Kind of the equivelent of our lopresti for less than 1K!  http://www.jamesaircraft.com/

[aviatoreb]

Quote: N601RX

The Sam James cowl is a popular speed and looks upgrade for the RV's.  Kind of the equivelent of our lopresti for less than 1K!  http://www.jamesaircraft.com/

[DaV8or]

Quote: N601RX

The Sam James cowl is a popular speed and looks upgrade for the RV's.  Kind of the equivelent of our lopresti for less than 1K!  http://www.jamesaircraft.com/

[Mooneymite]

.

 

I realize this thread is about speed comparason, but the combatants are not really in the same league.  I just sold my RV-4; I've ridden in several 6's.  Van designs great airplanes, but they aren't Mooneys....not even close.  if knots/dollar is your main thing, yeah, the RV is the way to go.

I sold the RV; I still have my Mooney.  YMMV

.

[Becca]

Quote: Skybrd

I was at Porterville last Saturday and saw a clean RV-6 airplane. I asked the pilot what engine it had and speed it ran. He had a Lycoming 0320 that was producing 160 hp and I think he said it would do 160 knots. I noticed that it didn't have retractable gear but did have wheel pants. My question is: can that airplane outrun a Mooney 201 that has higher horsepower and retractable gear. Do you know if there has been a race to vertify who is faster? I would think the Mooney would go faster.