Van’s RV-8 / RV-8A

THE AIRCRAFT

Meet Van’s RV-8 / RV-8A

The RV-8 is a tandem-seat kit aircraft offered with tailwheel or nosewheel landing gear. Van’s describes the airborne handling of the RV-8 and RV-8A as nearly identical, placing the main distinction in the undercarriage and ground operation. The cockpit’s tandem arrangement is paired with the responsive, balanced controls that Van’s discusses across its RV aircraft.

Research-based aircraft backgroundVan's Aircraft · RV-8 / 8A - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes ↗

HOW IT CAME TO BE

History & design

Two landing-gear choices

Van’s presents the RV-8 and RV-8A together and describes nearly identical handling once airborne. Performance tables separate solo and gross-weight conditions and use statute miles per hour. A published cruise figure therefore needs its weight and unit context before it can describe a particular flight.

Van's Aircraft · RV-8 / 8A - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes ↗

Van’s RV-8 model and performance page.

Linkages and trim choices

The construction manual documents elevator pushrods and bellcranks, with optional manual or electric pitch trim. Van’s catalogue explains roll-trim spring bias. The builder’s choice affects the installed mechanism; SWS and AOA package their own cockpit and avionics options, so a particular owner’s wing-leveler or equipment fit is not universal to the family.

Van's Aircraft · RV-8/8A Manual — Section 8 ↗

Van’s RV-8/8A construction manual, section 8; roll trim additionally described in Van’s catalogue.

Different simulator cockpits

SWS documents analog and G3X panels and different propeller options, while AOA’s XP12 change history describes its G1000-based automatic-flight controls. Both represent the RV-8 family, with separately documented equipment and versions.

SimWorks Studios · Van’s RV-8 for MSFS - Taildragger & Trike by SWS ↗

SWS product scope; AOA source listed separately.

VIRTUAL VERSIONS

In your simulator

No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.

GO TO THE SOURCE

Manuals & resources

Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.

Manual

↗RV-8/8A Manual — Section 8Van's Aircraft · Van’s RV-8/8A construction manual, section 8; roll trim additionally described in Van’s catalogue. ↗Van’s Aircraft 2015–2016 Catalogue — Roll TrimVan's Aircraft · Aircraft equipment and developer product details.

Aircraft background

↗Van's RV-8 /8A Duo XP12/XP11-AOASimulations-RV8-DuoAOA Simulations · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. ↗Van’s RV-8 for MSFS - Taildragger & Trike by SWSSimWorks Studios · SWS product scope; AOA source listed separately. ↗RV-8 – Version History - Simworks StudiosSimWorks Studios · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. ↗SimWorks Studios – Microsoft Flight Simulator Add‑OnsSimWorks Studios · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. ↗RV-8 / 8A - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit PlanesVan's Aircraft · Van’s RV-8 model and performance page. ↗Flying an RV - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit PlanesVan's Aircraft · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. ↗Kevin Horton RV-8 Pilot’s Operating HandbookKevin Horton · Aircraft equipment and developer product details.

AIRCRAFT AND FEEL

Built-in force-feedback profiles

Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.

Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 6 profile choices