TYPE: Tandem-seat kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: First flown (N118RV) 22 July 1995; launched at Oshkosh five days later. Second prototype (N58RV) flew early 1997 and accumulated 325 hours in seven months.

CURRENT VERSIONS: RV-8: Tailwheel version.
RV-8A: Tricycle version; first flown (N58VA) April 1998; public debut at Sun 'n' Fun, same month.

CUSTOMERS: By mid-2002, 1,300 sets of plans and kits had been sold. By 9 October 2003, 339 were flying.

COSTS: RV-8 kit US$16,895, quick-build kit US$24,820; RV-8A kit US$17,295, quick-build kit US$25,220 (2003 prices).

DESIGN FEATURES: Similar in appearance to the RV-4, but with wider, longer fuselage; rounded engine cowling; non-sweptback main landing gear legs; larger canopy; however, very little parts commonality with RV-4.

Description generally as for RV-4/RV-6.

LANDING GEAR: Wittman leaf-spring main legs; nose- or tailwheel. Speed fairings on mainwheels and (when fitted) nosewheel.

POWER PLANT: One 149 kW (200 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-360-A16D four-cylinder piston engine driving two-blade Hartzell HC-C2YK-BF/F7666A4 constant-speed propeller. Fuel capacity 159 litres (42.0 US gallons; 35.0 Imp gallons). Oil capacity 7.6 litres (2.0 US gallons; 1.7 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Tandem seating for pilot and passenger under sliding canopy. Separate windscreen.