The Adventures of Buzz Barnstormer: RV4 Speed Increase

A Gift of Time

Hello everyone!

I wanted to post this request to everyone because I think that it is an important one. My father is an avid aviator and currently flies an RV6. He is nearly 70 years old now. As a much younger man, he put off his love of flying when the economy turned south back in the 70's. He worked 3 jobs just to make ends meet. When we finally got back on our feet again, and he could finally afford to go flying, he put it off again to put mom through college. After saving up again, it was put on hold again to help with me and my sister to go to college. Finally, at age 60, he and I got our pilots licenses together on the same day. It was an enormously beautiful day to say the least. From then, the father son times that we enjoyed over the next few years as we flew together to EAA fly-ins were priceless, and some that I will never forget. Later as we both gained experience flying, we both purchased RV's. Again, we flew all over the place, and made more memories and bonded together more than ever! Unfortunately, I was forced to sell my RV, it was a very sad day to say the least. My father and I live in different states now, and it is sad to me that we once spent so much time together, but now, in the latter years of his life, we don't spend hardly enough.

I just learned that my old RV that I rebuilt years ago, is up for sale again. I currently am unemployed like so many other Americans. I am asking for a special gift, a gift for more time. I want to spend just a little more time with my dad before he cannot fly anymore. I do not have enough to buy my RV back, but if just a few people that are not affected by this terrible economy and have the means to help would do so, it would mean the world to me to be able to fly again with my dad. Thank you for a gift of time.

Monday, February 23, 2009

RV4 Speed Increase

My RV4 was built in 1986. It had the original Van's cowling, wheelpants, rubber wingroot fairings, and had the rectangular air intakes. I used to fly along side my father's RV6, and was usually about the same speed.

Then I brought the plane in for a major refurb. I changed the cowling out for a Sam James cowling, which was significantly lighter, and had the round air intake openings. I then put a Sam James fiberglass plenum chamber on and installed the Sam James fiberglass wingroot fairings. I installed the Van's pressure recovery wheel pants, then made really slick upper and lower gear root fairings along with fiberglass gear fairings. I followed this by a new paintjob. The decrease in weight was really significant. The next time that I flew along side my father's RV6, I had to throttle back considerably, because I was leaving him in the dust! The plane flew a good 15 MPH faster.

I attribute the major speed difference to the Sam James cowl and plenum chamber. It took a bit of adjustment to get the temps under control, but once they were there, they stayed constant, and the speed increase was significant. Thanks Sammy!

If you want to outfit your RV with some really slick fiberglass Holy Cowl, plenum chamber, or wingroot fairings, contact Sam James Aircraft at

(863) 234-1096. Tell him Scott "Captain Buzz" Brown sent you!

2 comments:

DaveG said...: I'm tempted to replace the cowl on my RV-6 just to get away from the hinge wires and use air-locs, or similar. I HATE those hinge wires!

I got an extra 8mph just from going to the pressure recovery wheel pants. I still need to do the intersection fairings.; February 25, 2009 3:05 PM
Captain Buzz said...: I really hate the pins as well. I went with the cam locks. They were more expensive, but I really love the look, and I could get my cowl off in a matter of about 2 minutes without busted up knuckles.

If you choose to replace your cowl, use the Sam James "Holy" cowl. It is nice, and will definately add some speedies to your ride!

Captain Buzz; February 25, 2009 9:21 PM