RV AIRCRAFT
RV Aircraft have been manufactured by American kit aircraft manufacturer, Van’s Aircraft since 1973. Van’s RV series of aircraft, range from the single-seat RV-3 to the latest RV-14, and they are all-aluminum, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction.
ABOUT VAN’S AIRCRAFT
In the 1970s, an engineer, Richard (Van) Van Grunsven’s RV-3 aircraft impressed a lot of people and Van’s Aircraft Inc. began in 1973. After twenty years and several expansions, the company moved to a 60,000 square foot facility and produce several hundred complete aircraft kits a year. The RV “model line” has expanded considerably in thirty-one years. (The RV, of course, stands for Richard Van Grunsven)
RV Aircraft are low-wing monoplanes of traditional aluminum construction. They use simple steel rod or leaf fixed landing gear. Aileron and elevators are controlled by a between-the-knees stick. RV structures are “monocoque” or “stressed skin” designs with the skins providing much of the airframe’s strength. The primary bending loads of the wing are carried by the single main spar. All RV wings are relatively low aspect ratio, constant chord designs with no taper or twist. This planform offers light weight construction with favorable stall characteristics. The low wing loading, allows climb and altitude performance which are unusually good for an airplane of such short span. Two-seat RVs use the proven NACA 230 series airfoil. These are turbulent flow airfoils with very low pitching moments. They do not require perfectly smooth surfaces to achieve good performance, so they remain almost unaffected by bugs and rain. The low pitching moment allows cruise trim drag to be kept to a minimum.
Safety is paramount and forward visibility and safety are close relatives with upright rather than supine seating. Operational safety and crash survivability, are primary concerns. To limit the possibility of accidents, RVs have excellent controllability, gentle stall characteristics, superb visibility and low landing speed. This, along with the rugged cockpit structure and sturdy roll bar should permit you to survive, almost any controlled landing.
Comfort is also important. RV’s provide generous legroom, shoulder room and head room. The RV cockpits are quite roomy and accommodate pilots and passengers up to 6’ 4’’ tall. Minor modifications are possible to allow even taller people to fit.
THE BAD NEWS IS TIME FLIES. THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU’RE THE PILOT!
The RV-7 Aircraft information, specifications and performance figures:
SPECIFICATIONS
Wingspan: | 25 ft 0 in |
Length: | 20 ft 4 in |
Height: | 5 ft 10 in |
Wing Area: | 121 sq ft |
Empty Weight: | 481.30 – 505.30 kgs |
Gross Weight: | 816.50 kg |
Engine: | 150 – 200 hp |
Propeller: | Fixed or C/S |
Fuel Capacity: | 159 L |
Baggage: | 45.40 kg |
PERFORMANCE
Horse Power: | 160 | 180 mph | 200 mph |
Top Speed [gross weight]: | 201 mph | 209 mph | 216 mph |
Cruise [gross, 75% @ 8000 ft]: | 191 mph | 199 mph | 206 mph |
Cruise [gross, 55% @ 8000 ft]: | 172 mph | 179 mph | 186 mph |
Stall Speed [gross]: | 58 mph | 58 mph | 58 mph |
Takeoff Distance [gross]: | 650 ft | 575 ft | 500 ft |
Landing Distance [gross]: | 500 ft | 500 ft | 500 ft |
Rate of Climb [gross]: | 1400 fpm | 1650 fpm | 1900 fpm |
Ceiling [gross]: | 18,500 ft | 20,500 ft | 22,500 ft |
Range [75% 8000 ft]: | 835 sm | 775 sm | 765 sm |
Range [55% 8000 ft]: | 1025 sm | 950 sm | 935 sm |
The RV-10 Aircraft information, specifications and performance figures:
SPECIFICATIONS
Wingspan: | 31 ft 9 in |
Length: | 24 ft 5 in |
Height: | 8 ft 8 in |
Wing Area: | 148 sq ft |
Empty Weight: | 689.46 kgs |
Gross Weight: | 1224.69 kg |
Engine: | 210 – 260 hp |
Propeller: | Hartzell or C/S |
Fuel Capacity: | 227.24 L |
Baggage: | 45.40 kg |
PERFORMANCE
Horse Power: (2200 lbs) | 210 | 210 mph | 210 mph |
Top Speed [gross weight]: | 200 mph | 204 mph | 211 mph |
Cruise [gross, 75% @ 8000 ft]: | 190 mph | 194 mph | 201 mph |
Cruise [gross, 55% @ 8000 ft]: | 170 mph | 174 mph | 180 mph |
Stall Speed [gross]: | 57 mph | 57 mph | 57 mph |
Takeoff Distance [gross]: | 475 ft | 415 ft | 360 ft |
Landing Distance [gross]: | 500 ft | 500 ft | 525 ft |
Rate of Climb [gross]: | 1400 fpm | 1669 fpm | 1950 fpm |
Ceiling [gross]: | 17,077 ft | 20,538 ft | 24,000 ft |
Range [75% 8000 ft]: | 835 sm | 775 sm | 765 sm |
Range [55% 8000 ft]: | 1025 sm | 950 sm | 935 sm |
SPECIFICATIONS
Exterior Dimensions | |
Span | 26’ 9” |
Length | 19’ 11” |
Height | 8′ 4″ |
Wing Area | 127 sq. ft. |
Weights | |
Empty Weight | 740 lbs |
Gross Weight | 1320 lbs |
Loadings | |
Wing Loading (gross weight) |
10.4 lbs/sq. ft. |
Power Loading (gross weight) |
13.2 lbs/hp |
Powerplant/Systems | |
Engine | Rotax 912ULS |
Propeller | Sensenich Composite ground adjustable |
Fuel Capacity | 20 US gallons |
Other | |
Cabin Width | 43” |
Baggage | 50 lbs |
PERFORMANCE
Engine | Rotax 912ULS |
Speeds and ranges in statute mph (sm) | |
Speed – Gross Weight | |
Top Speed | 135 mph |
Cruise (7500’ @ 5500 rpm) | 131 mph |
Cruise (7500’ @ 5000 rpm) | 116 mph |
Stall Speed | 47 mph |
Ground Performance – Gross Weight | |
Takeoff Distance | 700 ft. |
Landing Distance | 525 ft. |
Climb/Ceiling – Gross Weight | |
Rate of Climb | 900 fpm |
Ceiling | 13,800 ft. |
Range | |
Range (7500’ @ 5500 rpm) | 555 miles |
Range (7500’ @ 5000 rpm) | 614 miles |
SPECIFICATIONS
Exterior Dimensions | |
Span | 27 ft. |
Length | 21 ft. 1 in |
Height | 8 ft. 2 in |
Wing Area | 126.1 sq.ft. |
Weights | |
Empty Weight | 1240 lbs. |
Gross Weight | 2050 lbs. |
Loadings | |
Wing Loading -Gross | 16.25 |
Power Loading – Gross | 9.76 |
Powerplant/Systems | |
Engine | 210 hp |
Propeller [in prototype] | Hartzell c/s |
Fuel Capacity | 50 US gal |
Other | |
Baggage | 100 lbs. |
PERFORMANCE
Solo Weight 1700 lbs. Gross Weight 2050lbs. |
210 hp |
Speeds and ranges in statute mph (sm) Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop |
|
Speed – Light Weight | |
Top Speed | 205 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] | 195 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] | 172 mph |
Stall Speed | 56 mph |
Speed – Gross Weight | |
Top Speed | 203 mph |
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] | 193 mph |
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] | 169 mph |
Stall Speed | 56 mph |
Ground Performance – Light Weight | |
Takeoff Distance | 525 ft. |
Landing Distance | 545 ft. |
Ground Performance – Gross Weight | |
Takeoff Distance | 630 ft. |
Landing Distance | 715 ft. |
Climb/Ceiling – Light Weight | |
Rate of Climb | 1800 ft/min |
Ceiling | 26000 ft. |
Climb/Ceiling – Gross Weight | |
Rate of Climb | 1500 ft/min |
Ceiling | 18000+ ft. |
Range – Light Weight | |
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] | 938 sm |
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] | 1103 sm |
Range – Gross Weight | |
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] | 925 sm |
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] | 1080 sm |