More detail:
Stalls
The RV-8A stalls in the lower 50s. Due to a non-standard static port, this one indicates 63 knots at the break. This is not uncommon, and we have verified that it is instrument error, not airframe related. The plane stalls where and like it should, and the 63 knot number is repeatable, so it really doesn't matter -- as long as you know where to expect it.
Power off stalls are benign, with a good shudder warning you of what's to come. It's easy to make it break either direction by just placing your foot on either rudder pedal. It's just as easy to make it break straight ahead.
A secondary stall is easy to induce after recovery, and it's a bit more wicked, but still nothing pushing forward on the stick won't cure.
Power on stalls are incredible. You can't do them above 22 inches of manifold pressure, or it will be a hammerhead stall. Even at 22 inches, your deck angle exceeds 60 degrees up, which feels amazing.
They, too, are benign, and easily recoverable. And way, way fun.
Departure
Differential steering is different, but has many advantages in ground handling. You can pull this plane FORWARD into my hangar, and turn it 180 degrees around, like a tank. Too cool.
On takeoff, you must apply power slowly, or the P-factor is immense. A big foot full of right rudder helps, but don't shove the power in all at once, or you'll regret it.
As speed picks up, you've got the stick all the way back. As the nose gets light, slowly push forward, letting the force off the stick. Not too much, not too little, and then it just flies off nicely. Pull back too hard, and you'll pop off and results are exciting.
This thing has incredible rudder and elevator authority, so TINY inputs are rewarded. Start pushing and pulling, and it gets a bit too exciting!
You normally take off without flaps. The power-to-weight ratio is great, so there's no need for them. I tried one with 15 degrees of flap, just because, and we were off the ground incredibly fast. It was hard to not exceed flap extension speed, so I don't think we'll need to try that again any time soon.
Cruise
Cruise flight is wonderful. The cockpit has plenty of room, and the visibility is INCREDIBLE. The plane is fast, efficient, and so incredibly responsive. If you've ever ridden a Suzuki sportbike, you know how it does whatever you think. This plane is the same, WITHOUT being twitchy.
Once you learn not to fly it like a Cherokee, that is. Think fingers and toes, not hands and feet.
Landing
It is very un-spam can like to land an RV-8A. First of all, if Cherokees drop like bricks, RV-8s drop like bricks with anvils on them. We always joke that "You're never too high in a Pathfinder". Well, multiply that by ten in the RV.
This is unnerving, at first, but with practice becomes useful. You simply plan a steeper approach, and round out at the end to a nice, smooth landing.
We've been using 85 knots indicated as a good pattern speed. Flap application is pretty standard, and extension speed is 95 knots, so it's not a worry. Slowing down to 85 knots took a bit of practice, but those short wings and enormous sink rate can be converted to speed reduction easily by simply chopping power and raising the nose as lift diminishes. You can go from 120 to 85 in a blink, with practice.
We do half flaps abeam the numbers, full flaps on base. The electric flaps have no detent or markings, so you simply look at the flap and say "That looks about right".
At first, the landing sight picture is absolutely bizarre. You literally fly this thing down to the runway in what feels like a nose-down attitude, and then round out to land. If you raise the nose on final, like we do in the Pathfinder, the sink rate can be impressive, so you don't do it that way.
The ONE thing our instructor has yelled about (to me, anyway) is "KEEP YOUR HANDS STILL". Because of the push-pull tubes controls connected to the large control surfaces, if you slide down final approach making your usual small corrections (as you do when landing any spam can), the plane becomes twitchy as it follows your every move.
Once you learn to calm your hands, it is rock solid stable on final, and squeakers are easy.
