RV-7/7A

Fast. Cool. Fun.
One Serious Flying Machine.

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Side-by Side Seating: Like its predecessor, the RV-6, the more modern RV-7 is configured with seats where the pilot and passenger are positioned next to each other.
Aerobatic: Want to master the art of loops and rolls? The RV-7 is a fully aerobatic-capable airplane, stable and responsive. No problems finding that RV grin here!
Cross-Country Machine: Whether it's a local hop or a long, get-there-quick cross-country flight, you can travel great distances in short time, carry stuff for both people, and enjoy the scenery!

Overview

The RV-7/7A is one of Van’s most popular current designs, with 1,993 having flown to-date. Since the RV-7/7A replaced the most popular kit aircraft in history, Van’s RV-6/6A, this is probably no surprise.

About 70% of our customers prefer side by side seating and the RV-7/7A has a roomy cockpit that will easily accept two 6’ + adults with sufficient leg, head and elbow room to stay comfortable for three to four hours at a time. The seating arrangement puts both occupants on an equal footing – standard dual controls and optional dual brakes give either occupant full control with equal visibility.

Thousands of RV-7/7A kits have shipped to countries all over the world. If you prefer sitting next to your flying partner while you both enjoy one of the nicest-flying airplanes ever… Well, we know you’ll like the RV-7/7A.

RV-7: Our tailwheel model places the main gear slightly forward. The steerable tail wheel provides both great functionality and looks.
RV-7A: Configured to stand on tricycle-gear, the RV-7A provides great forward visibility on the ground and for some, crosswind landing confidence and stability.

Model	RV-7
Engine	150 - 215 HP
Top Speed	217 mph
Ceiling	24,000 ft
Stall Speed	58 mph
Fuel Capacity	42 US gal
Seats	2
Baggage	100 lb

RV-7

Solo Weight 1400 lbs	160 hp	180 hp	200 hp
Top Speed	202 mph	210 mph	217 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]	192 mph	200 mph	207 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]	173 mph	180 mph	187 mph
Stall Speed	51 mph	51 mph	51 mph
Takeoff Distance	300 ft	275 ft	250 ft
Landing Distance	350 ft	350 ft	350 ft
Rate of Climb	1,900 fpm	2,200 fpm	2,550 fpm
Ceiling	21,000 ft	23,000 ft	25,500 ft
Range [75% @ 8000 ft]	835 sm	775 sm	765 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft]	1,025 sm	950 sm	935 sm

Gross Weight 1800 lbs	160 hp	180 hp	200 hp
Top Speed	201 mph	209 mph	216 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]	191 mph	199 mph	206 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]	172 mph	179 mph	186 mph
Stall Speed	58 mph	58 mph	58 mph
Takeoff Distance	650 ft	575 ft	500 ft
Landing Distance	500 ft	500 ft	500 ft
Rate of Climb	1,400 fpm	1,650 fpm	1,900 fpm
Ceiling	18,500 ft	20,500 ft	22,500 ft
Range [75% @ 8000 ft]	835 sm	775 sm	765 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft]	1,025 sm	950 sm	935 sm

RV-7A

Solo Weight 1400 lbs	160 hp	180 hp	200 hp
Top Speed	200 mph	208 mph	215 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]	190 mph	198 mph	205 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]	171 mph	178 mph	185 mph
Stall Speed	51 mph	51 mph	51 mph
Takeoff Distance	300 ft	275 ft	250 ft
Landing Distance	350 ft	350 ft	350 ft
Rate of Climb	1,800 fpm	2,100 fpm	2,450 fpm
Ceiling	20,000 ft	22,000 ft	24,500 ft
Range [75% @ 8000 ft]	825 sm	765 sm	755 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft]	1015 sm	940 sm	925 sm

Gross Weight 1800 lbs	160 hp	180 hp	200 hp
Top Speed	199 mph	207 mph	213 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]	189 mph	197 mph	204 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]	170 mph	177 mph	183 mph
Stall Speed	58 mph	58 mph	58 mph
Takeoff Distance	650 ft	575 ft	500 ft
Landing Distance	500 ft	500 ft	500 ft
Rate of Climb	1,350 fpm	1,600 fpm	1,850 fpm
Ceiling	17,500 ft	19,500 ft	21,500 ft
Range [75% @ 8000 ft]	825 sm	765 sm	755 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft]	1015 sm	940 sm	925 sm

Aircraft Specs Performance Details

Highlights

The RV-7/7A retains all the traditional RV virtues. It is an all-around sport airplane, with excellent cross-country capability, fine aerobatic qualities and superior handling. A typical RV-7 can hold two FAA standard pilots, 100 lbs. of baggage and full tanks: 42 gallons. At the aerobatic gross weight of 1600 lbs., the RV-7/7A complies with the +6/-3G standards of the FAA’s Aerobatic Category and can still carry two people, making it possible for a new pilot to get aerobatic instruction before he or she starts rolling and looping.

Both sliding and tip-up canopies are available. Both may be opened for taxi ventilation, and both afford that other RV hallmark – superb visibility.

All RVs are capable of very short take-offs and landings and the RV-7/7A is no exception. Equipped with any Lycoming engine between 150 and 210 hp (meaning the (I)O-320, (I)O-360 or IO-390A, and either a fixed-pitch or constant-speed propeller, it will leave the ground quickly and climb at impressive rates. The rugged fixed steel landing gear (tailwheel or tri-gear) makes it possible to operate from almost any airstrip, including grass or dirt. One of the best things about flying an RV is the ability to”go where the fun is” and not be limited to big airports with paved runways.

It’s a fast airplane, too. The RV-7/7A is able to maintain cruise speeds near or even above 200 mph depending on the engine installed. That speed, combined with the endurance and the range made possible by its 42-gallon fuel capacity, means that you can traverse half the American continent in a day — or even further if the winds are right.

The aerodynamically “slippery” airframe also means that while high top speeds are possible, more relaxed cruise speeds can be very economic. Cruising at a sedate 160 mph or so, the RV-7 can achieve better mileage than many of the compact cars it is flying over.

However, simply blazing through the atmosphere is not what RVs are all about. Pilots who fly them rave about the handling qualities and control harmony… qualities that are difficult to describe with numbers.

Download Brochure Order a Kit

Span	25 ft
Length	20 ft 4 in
Height	5 ft 10 in
Wing Area	121 sq ft
Empty Weight	1061 - 1114 lbs
Gross Weight	1800 lbs
Wing Loading	14.8 lb/sq ft
Power Loading	12 - 9 lb/hp
Engine	150 - 215 HP
Propeller	Fixed or Constant-Speed
Fuel Capacity	42 US gal
Baggage	100 lbs

Span	25 ft
Length	20 ft 4 in
Height	7 ft 10 in
Wing Area	121 sq ft
Empty Weight	1077 - 1130 lbs
Gross Weight	1800 lbs
Wing Loading	14.8 lb/sq ft
Power Loading	12 - 9 lb/hp
Engine	150 - 215 HP
Propeller	Fixed or Constant-Speed
Fuel Capacity	42 US gal
Baggage	100 lbs