Student pilot going from a Cherokee (P28) to a RV-12. What should I know?

Nobody responded. I’ll say this.

I have no experience with the RV-12. But here are some observations.

Unless you’re flying a Cherokee 235… the RV-12 is going to be a lot more powerful. I’ve heard pilots compare it to the P-51 in terms of acceleration and departure angle if not quite top speed and climb rate. It can definitely catch you off guard.

The nose wheel steering is not direct. You have to use differential brakes at low speed and rudder at high speed. Make sure your nose wheel is straight before rolling for takeoff.

Controls will be a lot more crisp and you’ll have a lot more pitch authority. Careful not to over rotate.

Constant speed prop and methods of leaning are different if you’ve only flown fixed pitch and leaned with RPM.

As an experimental aircraft, no two are alike. Be aware of differences on your version.

Plan ahead for the pattern. It will probably take a lot longer to slow down.

And as always …. Don’t take the word of some random redittor… get instruction from someone familiar with the type.

/r/aviation Thread