Van's Aircraft RV-7

Last updated

RV-7
Vans.rv-7.g-kels.arp.jpg
RoleRV-7
Manufacturer Van's Aircraft
Designer Richard VanGrunsven
First flight2001 [1]
IntroductionEarly 2001 [2]
Number built1910 (December 2022) [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 VansRV-7.jpg
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 Van's Aircraft RV-7 G-DMPL (36793124990).jpg
An RV-7A clearly showing the tricycle configuration with the front nose-wheel
RV-7 with amphibious floats Johnson Daniel H Iii Vans RV-7 (N67683).jpg
RV-7 with amphibious floats

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]

Contents

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

Van's aircraft designer Richard VanGrunsven designed the RV-7 to replace the RV-6, which was a two-seat side-by-side development of the RV-4. In turn, this was a two-seat tandem version of the single seat RV-3. [7]

The RV-7 incorporated many changes resulting from the lessons learned in producing over 2,000 RV-6 kits. The RV-7 airframe will accept larger engines, including the Lycoming IO-390, up to 215 hp (160 kW). [8] 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 (159 litres) of fuel, up from 38 US gallons (144 litres) 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 has a computer-assisted design with pre-punched rivet holes, helping to keep assembly time to about 1500 hours for the average builder. [9]

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 nose-wheel 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 November 2022, 1,909 RV-7s and RV-7As had been flown. [3]

Specifications (RV-7)

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

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. ↑ Van's Aircraft (2008). "Introduction – About RV Kitplanes". Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
  2. ↑ Van's Aircraft. "Making the Decision - Kit Prices / Lead Times". vansaircraft.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2001. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Vans Aircraft (December 2022). "First Flights" . Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  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 April 13, 2019.
  6. ↑ Vans Aircraft (June 2002). "Service Bulletin SB02-6-1" (PDF). Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  7. 1 2 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 RV-7". Van's Aircraft . Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 77, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
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