The RV-9/9A is designed to be an easy-to-fly, economical, versatile sportplane.That’s not too surprising, since all previous Van’s airplanes, including the the RV-4, RV-6, RV-7, and RV-8 are versatile, economical sportplanes, too. But with the RV-9A Van’s has chosen to view the words the versatile and the economical from a new perspective.

To some, the RV-9/9A seems to be a “downward shift” from previous RVs. We don’t see it that way. Van’s has always striven for “Total Performance”; the ability to do as many things as possible well. But all airplanes are compromises, and no matter how versatile, each is biased toward a particular “mission.” We have noticed that blazing speed and “wring-it-out” aerobatics are not primary interests for many pilots. Their day-to-day flying consists of local trips and short cross-countries, with only occasional long flights. The RV-9/9A was designed to do its best in this environment. The performance it provides is useable every day. It’s so easy to fly that low time pilots can make a quick and painless transition. Its short field performance permits it to easily use all the “fun” airports around. When it’s time for that long cross-country, the RV-9/9A will get you there and back almost as quickly as many of the “go-fast” designs. What sets the RV-9/9A apart from other RV designs? The most obvious change is the new wing. It is longer and narrower than the wings of the RV-4/6/8 series, and uses a new Roncz airfoil. While the enlarged wing area at 124 square feet is only 12% greater, the span has been increased by 5 ft. The flaps are a long span, slotted, high lift design that allows the airplane to land slower than many primary trainers.

Big slotted flaps and generous wing area let the RV-9/9A land slow and very short.