Van's Aircraft RV-7
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| RV-7 | |
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| Role | RV-7 |
| Manufacturer | Van's Aircraft |
| Designed by | Richard VanGrunsven |
| First flight | 2001[1] |
| Introduction | 2001 |
| Number built | 846[2] |
| Unit cost | USD$41,000-$97,000[3] |
| Developed from | Van's Aircraft RV-6 |
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.
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[edit] 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.[3]
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 August 2009 826 RV-7s and RV-7As had been completed and were flying.[2]
[edit] Pricing
In June 2009, the total price for an RV-7 kit was US$19,680. The price for the RV-7A version was US$20,540. The "quick-build" option with pre-built wings and fuselage was US$29,660 for the RV-7 and US$30,520 for the RV-7A.[4]
In 2008 Van's claimed that most builders can complete their RV-7 projects for between US$41,000 - $97,000.[3]
[edit] 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.[5]
[edit] Specifications (RV-7)
Specifications are given for 200HP, IO-360 configuration with a Hartzell constant speed propeller
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 20 ft 4 in (6.26 m)
- Wingspan: 25 ft (7.70 m)
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
- Wing area: 121 ft² (11.2 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,114 lb (504 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,800 lb (815 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,800 lb (815 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-320 or Lycoming O-360 Constant Speed or Fixed Pitch, 160 to 200 hp (119 to 149 kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 230 mph (368 km/h)
- Maximum speed: 217 mph at sea level (351 km/h)
- Range: 765 statute miles at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ft (1,239 km at cruise 75% power at 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/ft² (75 kg/m²)
[edit] References
- ^ Van's Aircraft (2008). "Introduction - About RV Kitplanes". http://vansaircraft.com/public/rvkitpla.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
- ^ a b Vans Aircraft (October 2009). "First Flights". http://vansaircraft.com/public/flights.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
- ^ a b c Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 77, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
- ^ Van's Aircraft (April 2009). "Making the Decision - Kit Prices / Lead Times". http://vansaircraft.com/public/kitprice.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
- ^ Reeves, Doug (December 2008). "Van's Air Force". http://www.vansairforce.net/. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
- Related development
- Similar aircraft
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