Van's RV-7

Van's Aircraft · United States · first flew 2001 · light aircraft

The Van's RV-7 is a two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft prized for its sprightly performance and crisp handling.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	6.2 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Sleek all-metal low wing
Bubble canopy over side-by-side seats
Squared-off constant-chord wingtips

Look for the sleek all-metal low-wing monoplane with a sliding or tip-up bubble canopy over side-by-side seats. Constant-chord wings with squared-off tips and tidy wheel fairings mark out the RV family.

Specifications

The Van's RV-7 has a length of 6.2 m (20 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.62 m (25 ft).
Its maximum speed is 386 km/h (240 mph).
Typical crew: 2 (side-by-side).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Richard 'Van' VanGrunsven and introduced in 2001 as the successor to the popular RV-6, the RV-7 is sold as a kit by Van's Aircraft. Pre-punched, match-drilled parts ease construction, and it accepts a range of Lycoming engines of roughly 160 to 200 hp.

Variants

The type comes in the tailwheel RV-7 and the tricycle-gear RV-7A. Build options and engine choices give wide variation in equipment and performance among individual aircraft.

Where you'll see it

The RV-7 is one of the most common homebuilts on the UK register, flown by enthusiasts from grass and licensed airfields and a frequent sight at LAA fly-ins. Its speed and economy make it a favourite for cross-country touring.

Related aircraft

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