Van's Aircraft RV-7
{{Short description|American kit aircraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = RV-7
| logo =
| image = vans.rv-7.g-kels.arp.jpg
| caption =
| type = RV-7
| manufacturer = Van's Aircraft
| designer = Richard VanGrunsven
| first_flight = 2001{{cite web|url = http://vansaircraft.com/public/rvkitpla.htm|title = Introduction – About RV Kitplanes|access-date = 2008-09-21|last = Van's Aircraft|year = 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120309065759/http://vansaircraft.com/public/rvkitpla.htm|archive-date = 2012-03-09}}
| retired =
| status =
| primary_user =
| more_users =
| produced =
| number_built = 1910 (December 2022){{cite web|url = https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/first-flights.htm|title = First Flights|access-date = 7 December 2022|last = Vans Aircraft |date = December 2022}}
| developed_from = Van's Aircraft RV-6
| variants =
| developed_into = Van's Aircraft RV-10
}}
File:VansRV-7.jpg 2004.]]
File:Van's Aircraft RV-7 G-DMPL (36793124990).jpg
File:Johnson Daniel H Iii Vans RV-7 (N67683).jpg
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.Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 74. Belvoir Publications. {{ISSN|0891-1851}}
The RV-7 was the replacement of the RV-6, replacing the RV-6 in 2001.{{cite web| url = https://www.vansaircraft.com/rv-6/|title = Van's RV-6 / 6A| access-date = 13 April 2019|last = Vans Aircraft|date = April 2019}} It is externally similar to the earlier model, with longer wings, larger fuel tanks and a larger rudder to improve spin recovery characteristics.{{cite web|url = http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/sb02-6-1.pdf|title = Service Bulletin SB02-6-1|access-date = 2013-08-04|last = Vans Aircraft|date=June 2002}}
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.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 125. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}
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 {{convert|215|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.vansaircraft.com/rv-7/ |title=Van's RV-7 |publisher=Van's Aircraft|access-date= 27 September 2020}} 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.
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.Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 77, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
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.
Specifications (RV-7)
Specifications are given for 200 hp, IO-360 configuration with a Hartzell constant speed propeller
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
|crew=one pilot
|capacity=one passenger
|length ft=20
|length in=4
|length m=
|span ft=25
|span m=
|height ft=5
|height in=10
|height m=1.79
|wing area sqft=121
|wing area sqm=
|empty weight lb=1,114
|empty weight kg=
|gross weight lb=1,800
|gross weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb= 1,800
|max takeoff weight kg=
|eng1 name=Lycoming O-320, Lycoming O-360 or Lycoming IO-390
|eng1 type=constant speed or fixed pitch
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 hp= 160 to 215.
|eng1 kw=
|max speed mph= 217
|max speed kmh=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed mph=207
|never exceed speed mph= 230
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed kts=
|stall speed mph=51
|range mi=765
|range km=
|range note=at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ft (2,500 m)
|ceiling ft=22,500
|ceiling m=
|climb rate ftmin=1,900
|climb rate ms=
|wing loading lb/sqft=14.8
|wing loading kg/m2=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
|similar engines=
}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://vansaircraft.com/ Van's Aircraft]
- [https://www.avweb.com/features/kitplanes-guide-buying-a-vans-rv-7/ Review in Kitplanes]
{{VansAircraft}}
Category:1990s United States civil utility aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 2001