Van's Aircraft RV-7

The Van's RV-7 and RV-7A are two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplanes sold in kit form by Van's Aircraft. The RV-7 is the tail-wheel equipped version, while the RV-7A features a nose-wheel.[4]

RV-7
Role RV-7
Manufacturer Van's Aircraft
Designer Richard VanGrunsven
First flight 2001[1]
Introduction 2001
Number built 1785 (October 2019)[2]
Unit cost
USD$41,000–$97,000[3]
Developed from Van's Aircraft RV-6
An RV-7 on display at Sun n Fun 2004. This is the tail wheel equipped version
An RV-7A clearly showing the tricycle configuration with the front nose-wheel
RV-7 with amphibious floats

The RV-7 was the replacement of the RV-6, replacing the RV-6 in 2001.[5] It is externally similar to the earlier model, with longer wings, larger fuel tanks and a larger rudder to improve spin recovery characteristics.[6]

Development

The designer of the Van's aircraft line, Richard VanGrunsven, designed the RV-7 series as a replacement for the RV-6. The RV-6 itself was a two-seat side-by-side development of the RV-4, which was, in turn, a two-seat version of the single seat RV-3.[7]

The RV-7 incorporated many changes as a result of lessons learned over the years in producing over 2,000 RV-6 kits. The RV-7 airframe will accept larger engines, including the Lycoming IO-360, up to 200 hp (149 kW). The RV-7 also has increased wingspan and wing area over the RV-6, as well as more headroom, legroom and an increased useful load. The RV-7 carries a total of 42 US gallons of fuel, up from 38 US gallons on the RV-6.[7]

The RV-7 shares many common parts with the RV-8 and RV-9 which reduces production costs. The RV-7 also uses computer assisted design to produce a kit with pre-punched rivet holes, thus greatly reducing assembly time for the builder. Construction time is estimated at about 1500 hours for an average builder.[3]

The RV-7A version features a hardened, solid steel nose wheel strut that fits into a tube welded to the engine mount. As in all nose-wheel equipped RV aircraft, the nosewheel is free castering and the aircraft is steered with differential braking, or rudder at higher taxi speeds. The brakes are conventional toe brakes.

As of October 2019, 1,785 RV-7s and RV-7As have been completed and flown.[2]

Pricing

As of December 2016, the price of the "standard build" RV-7 kit was US$22,910 and the "quick-build" kit US$34,350.[8]

In 2008, Van's claimed that most builders can complete their RV-7 projects for between US$41,000 – $97,000.[3] In 2016, Van's estimated the completion cost at between US$55,500 and US$116,000. However, Van's cautioned these numbers were estimates only, as costs vary significantly based on installed equipment and finishing.[9]

Specifications (RV-7)

Specifications are given for 200 hp, IO-360 configuration with a Hartzell constant speed propeller

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m)
  • Wingspan: 25 ft (7.6 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
  • Wing area: 121 sq ft (11.2 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,114 lb (505 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320 or Lycoming O-360 constant speed or fixed pitch, 160 to 200 hp (120 to 150 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 217 mph (349 km/h, 189 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 207 mph (333 km/h, 180 kn)
  • Stall speed: 51 mph (82 km/h, 44 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 230 mph (370 km/h, 200 kn)
  • Range: 765 mi (1,231 km, 665 nmi) at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ft (2,500 m)
  • Service ceiling: 22,500 ft (6,900 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,900 ft/min (9.7 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 14.8 lb/sq ft (72 kg/m2)
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. Van's Aircraft (2008). "Introduction – About RV Kitplanes". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  2. Vans Aircraft (October 2019). "First Flights". Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  3. Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 77, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
  4. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 74. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  5. Vans Aircraft (April 2019). "Van's RV-6 / 6A". Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  6. Vans Aircraft (June 2002). "Service Bulletin SB02-6-1" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-08-04.
  7. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 125. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  8. Van's Aircraft (December 2016). "Kit Prices and Lead Times". Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  9. Van's Aircraft (December 2016). "Cost Estimator". Retrieved 2016-12-15.
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