Purpose

This is a blog containing the build history of an experimental home built airplane. The RV-7A is a two place, piston powered, low wing, tractor configuration, tricycle gear, aluminum and composite aircraft. The original purpose of this blog was to document the construction of my experimental category aircraft in order to satisfy the build log requirement for the FAA. Now it's just for the amusement of friends and family as I document some of our aviation experiences. For more information on the RV series of aircraft see www.vansaircraft.com.

Performance and Dimensions

Vans Aircaft photo


Dimensions and performance figures from Vans aircraft web site:

Exterior Dimensions
Span25 ft 0 in
Length20 ft 4 in
Height7 ft 10 in
Wing Area121 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight1077 - 1130 lbs 
Gross Weight1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading   14.8 lb/sq ft 
Power Loading  12.0 - 9.0 lb/hp  
Powerplant/Systems
Engine150-200 hp
Propeller Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity42 US gal
Other
Baggage100 lbs


RV-7A Performance
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
160 hp180 hp200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed200 mph208 mph215 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]190 mph198 mph205 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]171 mph178 mph185 mph
Stall Speed51 mph51 mph51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed199 mph207 mph213 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]189 mph197 mph204 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]170 mph177 mph183 mph
Stall Speed58 mph58 mph58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance300 ft275 ft250 ft
Landing Distance350 ft350 ft350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance650 ft575 ft500 ft
Landing Distance500 ft500 ft500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb1,800 fpm2,100 fpm2,450 fpm
Ceiling20,000 ft22,000 ft24,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb1,350 fpm1,600 fpm1,850 fpm
Ceiling17,500 ft19,500 ft21,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft]825 sm765 sm755 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft]1015 sm940 sm925 sm