Van's Aircraft RV-7

infobox Aircraft
name = RV-7
type = RV-7

manufacturer = Van's Aircraft



caption =
designer = Richard VanGrunsven
first flight = 2001 cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/rvkitpla.htm|title = Introduction - About RV Kitplanes|accessdate = 2008-09-21|last = Van's Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008]
introduction = 2001
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced =
number built = 578 cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/flights.htm|title = First Flights|accessdate = 2008-03-28|last = Vans Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = March]
program cost=
unit cost = USD$41,000-$97,000
developed from = Van's Aircraft RV-6
variants with their own articles =

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. The RV-7 is a development of the RV-6 and is externally similar to the earlier model.

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.

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. 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.

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-drilled rivet holes, thus greatly reducing assembly time for the builder. Construction time is estimated at about 1500 hours for an average builder.

The RV-7A version features tubular steel landing gear with the nosewheel mounting 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. The brakes are mounted conventionally on the rudder pedal toes.

By March 2008 578 RV-7s and RV-7As had been completed and were flying. cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/flights.htm|title = First Flights|accessdate = 2008-03-28|last = Vans Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = March]

Pricing

As of October 2007, the total price for an RV-7 kit was $18,050. The price for the RV-7A version is $18,875.Kitplanes Staff: "2008 Kit Aircraft Directory", page 77, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.] The "quick-build" option with pre-built wings and fuselage is $27,300 for the RV-7 and $28,125 for the RV-7A. [http://vansaircraft.com/public/kitprice.htm Kit Prices / Lead Times] ]

Van's claims that most builders can complete their RV-7 projects for between $41,000 - $97,000.

Aircraft Type Club

The RV-7 and RV-7A have a very active aircraft type club "Van's Air Force" that provides support for owners and pilots of these types.

pecifications (RV-7)

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

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=one pilot
capacity=one passenger
length main=20 ft 4 in
length alt=6.26 m
span main=25 ft
span alt=7.70 m
height main=5 ft 10 in
height alt=1.79 m
area main=121 ft²

area alt= 11.2 m²
empty weight main=1,114 lb
empty weight alt=504 kg
loaded weight main=1,800 lb
loaded weight alt=815 kg
max takeoff weight main= 1,800 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 815 kg
engine (prop)=Lycoming O-320 or Lycoming O-360
type of prop=Constant Speed or Fixed Pitch
number of props=1
power main= 160 to 200 hp
power alt= 119 to 149 kW

max speed main= 217 mph at sea level

max speed alt= 351 km/h
never exceed speed main= 230 mph
never exceed speed alt= 368 km/h
range main=765 statute miles at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ft

range alt=1,239 km at cruise 75% power at 2,500 m

ceiling main=22,500 ft

ceiling alt= 6,900 m
climb rate main=1,900 ft/min

climb rate alt=9.7 m/s
loading main=14.8 lb/ft²

loading alt= 75 kg/m²

References

External links

* [http://vansaircraft.com/ Van's Aircraft]
* [http://www.vansairforce.net Van's Aircraft Type Club]

Related content

;Related development
* Van's Aircraft RV-6
* Van's Aircraft RV-9;Similar aircraft
* Europa XS
* Grumman American AA-1
* Thorp T-18