Van's Aircraft RV-3

Last updated

RV-3
Vans RV-3 (N46HC).jpg
Role Kit aircraft
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Van's Aircraft
Designer Richard VanGrunsven
Introduction1971
StatusRV-3: Production completed
RV-3B: In production
Number built305 (February 2023) [1]
Developed from Stits Playboy
RV-3 VansRV-301.jpg
RV-3
Van's Aircraft RV-3, showing the design's low frontal area VansRV-303.jpg
Van's Aircraft RV-3, showing the design's low frontal area

The Van's RV-3 is a single-seat, single-engine, low-wing kit aircraft sold by Van's Aircraft. [2] Unlike many other aircraft in the RV line, the RV-3 is only available as a tail-wheel equipped aircraft, although it is possible that some may have been completed by builders as nose-wheel versions. The RV-3 is the genesis design for the rest of the RV series, all which strongly resemble the RV-3. The RV-4 was originally developed as a two-seat RV-3.

Contents

Development

The architect of the line of Van's aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven, designed the RV-3 in the late 1960s after experience flying the Stits Playboy amateur-built aircraft. The RV-3 started out as an attempt to maintain the Playboy's layout and concept but to improve it in every regard. The RV-3 was designed to have light handling, aerobatic capabilities, fast cruise speeds, and short field STOL capabilities. The RV-3 was also designed from the start for serious travel and as such carries 30 US gallons of fuel, giving it a range of about 600 statute miles. The design horsepower is 100–150, typically using a Lycoming O-235 or Lycoming O-320 powerplant. Some builders have fitted RV-3s with more powerful engines, however. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

The RV-3 uses a NACA 23012 airfoil on a constant chord wing. Construction is semi-monocoque of predominantly 2024-T3 aluminum sheet. The wings are built around an aluminum I-beam spar with a lighter rear spar. The aircraft has plain flaps operated by a handle. The main landing gear is attached directly to the welded steel engine mount and consists of tapered, sprung steel rods. Construction time for the RV-3 is reported to be 1300 hours for a first time builder. [3] [5] [6]

The very first RV-3 built by VanGrunsven won "Best Aerodynamic Detailing" at the 1972 EAA Oshkosh Convention. It also won the 1973 AC/EAA Efficiency Contest. [3] [6]

There is an RV-3A model, but its designation does not follow VanGrunsven's normal system, where "A" models are nosewheel equipped versions. An RV-3A is an early RV-3 that has undergone rear spar and wing root upgrades as described in Van's publication CN-1. Due to ongoing structural concerns, the production of RV-3 kits was suspended in 1996. Continued customer demand for the single seat design resulted in VanGrunsven engineering a new wing for the RV-3. Production of kits was restarted a few years later. New aircraft completed since the wing redesign and aircraft that have been retrofitted with the new wing are referred to as an RV-3B. [7]

By February 2023, 305 RV-3s had been completed and flown. [1]

Aircraft on display

Specifications (RV-3B)

Van's Aircraft RV-3 instrument panel VansRV-3InstrumentPanel07.jpg
Van's Aircraft RV-3 instrument panel

Data from Manufacturer [9]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. 1 2 Van's aircraft (February 2023). "First Flights" . Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 74. Belvoir Publications. ISSN   0891-1851
  3. 1 2 3 Plane and Pilot, 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 159, Werner and Werner, Santa Monica CA 1978
  4. ↑ Van's Aircraft (2005). "Van's Aircraft RV-3". www.vansaircraft.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Armstrong, Kenneth, Choosing Your Homebuilt – The One You'll Finish And Fly, pages 363, Butterfield Press, Templeton CA 1993.
  6. 1 2 3 Bowers, Peter M, Guide to Homebuilts, page 234, 9th Edition, TAB Books Blue Ridge Summit PA, 1984.
  7. 1 2 Van's aircraft. "RV-3 Experience the Original RV Grin". vansaircraft.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ EAA AirVenture Museum (2012). "Van Grunsven RV-3 Prototype – N17RV" . Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  9. ↑ Van's Aircraft. "Introducing the Van's RV-3 through RV-9" (PDF). vansaircraft.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
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