Team Raven
Team Raven is a highly skilled and experienced formation aerobatic display team based at Swansea Airport in Wales. Established in May 2014, the team is entirely self-funded, consisting of six members who are all passionate about aviation and aerobatics.
Their performances are a sight to behold, showcasing their incredible skills and precision using six Vans RV-8 self-build kit aircraft. Each aircraft is fitted with a striking white smoke system, which adds to the visual spectacle of their displays.
The name 'Raven' is a clever play on the letters 'RV', which is the model of their aircraft. The team has taken this idea a step further by stylizing the word as 'RaVen' on their aircraft fuselages, adding a distinctive touch to their performances.
Team Raven has gained a reputation for their professionalism, attention to detail and safety. Their displays are meticulously planned and executed with the utmost care to ensure the safety of both the pilots and the audience. If you're looking for a thrilling and exciting aerobatic display, Team Raven is definitely worth watching.
Van's Aircraft RV-8
The Van's RV-8 is a tandem two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft sold in kit form by Van's Aircraft. The RV-8 is equipped with conventional landing gear, while the RV-8A version features tricycle landing gear. The design is similar to the earlier RV-4, although it is larger than that earlier model.
Richard VanGrunsven designed the RV-8 series as an updated, larger tandem aircraft based on the RV-4 design concept. The RV-8 first flew in 1995 and was first shown publicly at Oshkosh that year.
The RV-8 incorporated changes as a result of lessons learned in producing the popular RV-4 design. The RV-8 airframe accepts larger engines from 150 to 210 hp (112 to 157 kW), including the 210 hp (157 kW) Lycoming IO-390. The RV-8 also has increased wingspan and wing area over the RV-4, as well as greater cockpit width, headroom, legroom and an increased useful load, all with a view to accommodating larger pilots. Like the RV-3 to RV-7 that preceded it, the RV-8 is stressed for aerobatics.
The RV-8 series was intended from inception to include a nose-gear-equipped version designated the RV-8A. The RV-8A was first flown in 1998
As of October 2019, 1,536 RV-8s and RV-8As have been completed and flown