As far as RVs vs Lancairs in rate-of-descent, the RV6 has
a parasite drag area of 2.32, apart from induced loss. (CAFE report, Sport
Aviation, Sep.'93); I have found just about the same in the RVs I've tested. The
Lancair, on the other hand, is more like 1.4-1.6. My 235 only requires 25 thrust
horsepower to stay in the air at 85mph IAS, best endurance speed. The RVs, with
their much lower aspect ratio, 4.8 on the -6 vs about 7 on the 235, or my 8.05,
allows us to glide a lot better. I have about a 15:1 L/D at 110mph-115mph IAS.
Theirs is down around 10:1-12:1 at 95mph-105mph IAS.
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