Van's RV-3
Van's Aircraft · United States · first flew 1971 · light aircraft
The Van's RV-3 is the original design from Van's Aircraft, a single-seat low-wing homebuilt kit that established the lineage of the highly successful RV series.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Compact fuselage with fully enclosed cockpit |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat low-wing homebuilt kit — Van's first design
- Conventional tailwheel undercarriage
- Compact fuselage with fully enclosed cockpit
The smallest and earliest of the RV family — single-seat, very compact low-wing monoplane with the characteristic swept Van's tail and a tightly cowled Lycoming engine.
Specifications
- The Van's RV-3 has a length of 5.79 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.07 m (20 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 306 km/h (190 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Richard VanGrunsven completed the prototype RV-3 in 1971, demonstrating the potential for high-performance amateur-built aircraft at low cost. The design inspired the entire subsequent RV family and is credited with revitalising the homebuilt aviation movement.
Variants
The RV-3 was produced only in a single tailwheel configuration; later Van's designs broadened the lineup to two-seat and tricycle-gear variants.
Where you'll see it
Flown privately by homebuilders primarily in the United States; numbers are smaller than later RV models but the type remains active.
Related aircraft
- Van's RV-4
- Van's RV-6
- Van's RV-8
- Van's Aircraft RV-9
- American Aviation AA-5
- CERVA CE.43 Guépard
- Cessna 340
- Cessna XMC
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.