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| Airworthy and Flying Since March 27, 2004 |
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| Photo by Dave "Rodoc" Leonard, Taken in formation on December 18, 2005 |
| TTAF: 1674 hours as of July 20, 2008 |
What is all of this? I built a Van's RV-7, a two-place side-by-side experimental kit plane manufactured by Van's Aircraft. Yep, I built it in my garage. My particular configuration is the "straight -7," which is a taildragger, and it has a tip-up canopy. Out front it has a 200+hp AeroSport Power IO-360-A1B6 (angle valve) upgraded with Airflow Performance FM-200 fuel injection with ram air and purge valve, as well as a single Lightspeed Plasma II electronic ignition and one Slick impulse-coupled magneto. It has a Sky-Tec flyweight starter and a B&C 40-amp alternator. It swings a Hartzell C2YK-1BF/7666A4 constant-speed propeller. This RV-7 is IFR equipped with all electric (no vacuum!) equipment, including the new Dynon EFIS-D10 with its optional battery backup and remote digital compass, and an approach-certified TSO C129a Class A1 GPS (stack has: GMA-340, GX60, SL30, GTX-320A). The panel also sports an AF-2500 Engine/Systems Monitor from Advanced Control Systems, and a Trutrak Pictorial Pilot autopilot with an AlTrak altitude hold. Also mounted to the panel are a GPSMAP 496 and a Roady2 XM radio. Unlike most side-by-side RVs, my RV-7 has a custom left-handed DJM Manufacturing throttle quadrant. Since this plane is a taildragger, I'm making use of the Rocket Steering Link along with a Doug Bell tailwheel fork.
It weighs 1123 pounds empty (re-weighed Feb 2007), and has a useful load of 827 pounds, and a full fuel payload of 575 pounds. In case you've been living in a cave and don't know the RV-7, it has two seats (side-by-side) and a bunch of baggage space.
How fast does it go?! If you're like me, performance is 99% of what it's all about. Well, the latest speed runs I've done, after getting all of the fairings installed, yielded an average max true airspeed of 188 KTAS at 8000' density altitude, full throttle and RPM, leaned to 80 ROP.
Since all aircraft builders are encouraged to keep a builder's log, and since web stuff is second nature to me, I decided early on that I would post my entire building experience here on this site, photos and all. It's not my intent for this site to provide instruction on how to build an RV-7, but I do want to share my experience with other builders in the hope that my photos and commentary might occasionally save some poor soul a bit of aggravation. Learn from my mistakes -- and your airplane will be nicer & safer as a result. Click any of the links above the thumbnails below to dive right into the construction log. Enjoy...
If you end up building an RV, tell Van's you found 'em here! Van's has a "finder's fee" program in effect, where you can specify another RV builder who inspired you to build. If you can honestly say this site inspired you, and I'll give you my Van's customer number for their form. Thanks!
THE MOVIE IS HERE! Mac users click here
Special thanks to Dave Richardson for making the video of my first real test flight!!!
| Empennage (9/6/2001 - 10/20/2001, 200 hours) | ||||||||
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| Wings (5/1/2002 - 9/5/2002, about 400 hours) | ||||||||
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| Ailerons (8/8/2002 - 8/21/2002, 22 hours) and Flaps (8/22/2002 - 8/30/2002, 16 hours) | ||||||||
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| Fuselage (9/5/2002 - 2/16/2003, 423 hours) | ||||||||
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| Finish Kit (1/12/2003 - present, 166 hours) | ||||||||
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| Wiring, Panel, Firewall Forward, Engine, etc. (2/28/2003 - 3/3/2004, 390 hours) | ||||||||
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| Cowling, Spinner, Baffles (8/14/2003 - present, 131 hours) | ||||||||
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| Wrap-Up Work (11/15/2003 - 3/27/2004, 322 hours) | ||||||||
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| Phase I (3/27/2004 - 4/9/2004, 25.2 hours) | ||||||||
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Some Cool Stuff:
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General Topics:
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Solder-It-Yourself Dual Magneto Synchronizer KIT...a must have!!
Cheaper than an off-the-shelf tool, works just as well (better, actually). Best part is -- you get to build it yourself and save money in the process! |
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Western Pennsylvania RV Builders...brand new workshop hosted by Tom Emery.
Do yourself a huge favor and get some experience with Tom before you start on your kit! Not sure you're up for building an RV? A weekend with Tom will get you going. I couldn't have gotten this far without Tom's help. |
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Clear Air Tools...a true top notch aircraft tool vendor.
Shop around and you'll find Clear Air Tools has some excellent deals on high-quality stuff. Nobody knows air tools like Fred. Tell him I sent you! |
Say goodbye to your ugly tailwheel chains!
Fuel Caps Engraved By Bill Esther
RV-7 Performance Specs
RV-7 General Specifications
ExperimentalAero.com -- new back-saving dimpling tool, among other cool things
Need more info? Check out Builder's Bookstore.
Here's an interesting link for builders debating about using a tip-up vs. slider: Tip-Up / Slider Canopy for RV Aircraft