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Van's
Van's Aircraft, Inc. is an American kit aircraft manufacturer, founded by Richard "Van" VanGrunsven in 1973.
Van's RV series of aircraft, from the single-seat RV-3 to the latest RV-14, are all-aluminum, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction. The RV series of airplanes has been extremely successful, and as of February 2019, about 10,400 RV kits had been completed and flown, and thousands more are under construction. Completion rates currently average about 1.5 per day, making the series the most numerous of all homebuilt aircraft. They feature responsive controls plus both good speed and fuel economy. In 2013, the company announced it would begin selling some assembled aircraft as well on a limited basis.
Van's factory is located at Aurora State Airport, Oregon.
RV-4 |
RV-7 | RV-8
Van's RV-4
The Van's RV-4 is an American light homebuilt aircraft supplied in kit form. It seats two people in a tandem seating configuration with the pilot accommodated in the front seat.
Richard VanGrunsven designed the RV-4 in the mid 1970s as a two-seat development of the single-seat RV-3. The RV-4 prototype first flew in August 1979. It is a new design based upon the concepts proven in the RV-3 and is not merely a stretched RV-3. The RV-4 airframe will accept a range of engines up to 180 hp (134 kW), including the Lycoming O-360. The RV-4 has a new wing, with increased wingspan and wing area over the RV-3. The RV-4 is designed for sport aerobatics.
The RV-4 has proven to be a capable cross country aircraft in service, able to carry two modest sized people and baggage on longer trips. RV-4s have been flown around the world, notably by an Australian, Jon Johanson, who completed world-girdling RV-4 flights on two occasions.
Van's RV-4, registration G-SPRK, built ????, serial number 845
Leopoldsburg-Beverlo (EBLE) (BE), Peer, Belgium, 15 September 2019
RV-4 |
RV-7 | RV-8
Van's RV-7
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.
The RV-7 was the replacement of the RV-6, replacing the RV-6 in 2001. It is externally similar to the earlier model, with longer wings, larger fuel tanks and a larger rudder to improve spin recovery characteristics.
Van's RV-7, registration PH-PLP, built 2012, serial number 73834
Ede, Netherlands, 23 August 2019
RV-4 |
RV-7 | RV-8
Van's RV-8
The Van's RV-8 is a tandem two-seat, single-engine, low-wing aerobatic aircraft. The RV-8 is equipped with conventional landing gear, while the RV-8A version features tricycle landing gear. The design is similar to the earlier RV-4, but with larger cockpit and greater overall size than the RV-4 to accomodate larger pilots.
Van's RV-8, registration G-CIBM, built 2013, serial number LAA 303-15083
Vliegbasis Volkel (UDE/EHVK), Uden, Netherlands, 30 June 2019
RV-4 |
RV-7 | RV-8
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