In 1995, Vans decided to re-visit the tandem concept. Even though the side-by-side RV-6\/6A had become the most popular homebuilt design ever, there was still a significant percentage of pilots who really wanted centerline seating. The consensus seemed to be that a new tandem airplane, optimized for cross-country flying, would be popular.\n\nThe "concept airplane" was dubbed the RV-8. A one-of-a-kind demonstrator was built in 1995 and introduced at Oshkosh. The cockpit was several inches wider than the RV-4, so space both front and rear was greatly improved. Really big people (high on the "bubba scale") who could not fit in earlier RVs now had an airplane they could fly. A front baggage compartment almost doubled the available baggage capacity and along with the usual compartment behind the rear seat, actually gave slightly more space than the RV-6\/6A. This package features a FSDSv2 model, custom panel, VC, moving parts, and two paint schemes. This aircraft is fun to fly, and also works well as an AI addition for GA routes. By Fred Choate.
