N8281V

N8281V is a Van's Aircraft RV-8, a single-engine piston aircraft operated by MERRELL MARK. SkyMeter has tracked 40 flights totalling 34 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is KGKY to KGKY. Service window in our records spans 393 days. Of those flights, 4 (10.0%) carry at least one detected incident: a go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Van's Aircraft RV-8 has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,800 lb, light wake category.

About the Van's Aircraft RV-8

The Van's RV-8 is a tandem-seat, aerobatic homebuilt aircraft that has become one of the most popular kit planes in general aviation since its introduction in 1997. Designed by Richard VanGrunsven as a two-seat evolution of the single-seat RV-3 and RV-4 lineage, the RV-8 combines cross-country efficiency with genuine aerobatic capability, certified for +6/-3 G maneuvers. Its tandem configuration (pilot and passenger seated fore-and-aft rather than side-by-side) gives it a fighter-like cockpit feel and exceptional visibility, making it a favorite among pilots who want both sport flying and practical transportation in one airframe.

Most builders equip the RV-8 with Lycoming O-360 or IO-360 engines producing 180 to 200 horsepower, yielding cruise speeds around 180 to 200 knots and a range exceeding 800 nautical miles on internal fuel. The type's relatively light empty weight (around 1,050 pounds) and efficient wing design deliver climb rates often exceeding 1,500 feet per minute, while its docile handling characteristics make it accessible to pilots transitioning from certified aircraft. The RV-8 is sold as a kit requiring 1,200 to 1,800 hours of builder time, and thousands have been completed worldwide, forming a strong community of owner-builders who share modifications, flight reports, and support.

SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.