Van's Aircraft RV-7

Build Log

Why I chose the Van’s Aircraft RV-7

The Van’s Aircraft website has a page to help determine which aircraft is right for you. A lot of the questions are not about what you want, but what you need. Following this tree I ended up with a single airframe that fit my mission; I will describe my decision tree here.

How many seats do you need?

One seat is undesirable to me as I want to travel with passengers occasionally, and I have no need for four seats.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-4, RV-7/7A, RV-8/8A, RV-9/9A, RV-12is, RV-14/14A.

Do you need aerobatic capability?

While I have no intention of flying competition aerobatics, the ability to move freely in three dimensions is something that I do want.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-4, RV-7/7A, RV-8/8A, RV-14/14A.

Tandem or Side-By-Side?

Tandem is very much pilot and passenger, I want a pilot and co-pilot arrangement.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-7/7A, RV-14/14A.

Conventional or Tricycle?

This is entirely personal preference, conventional gear for me.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-7, RV-14.

Private Pilot or Light Sport?

Private pilot, because I am one.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-7, RV-14.

Removable wings?

I have no need to remove the wings.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-7, RV-14.

Tip Up Canopy, Sliding Canopy, or Doors?

Another personal preference, I don’t need doors, and I like sliding canopies more.

Airframes that fit the mission: RV-7.