6 Van's RV-7 / 7A for sale on ClearProp →
Live listingsOverview
The most-built RV of the modern era: a 2-seat, all-aluminum aerobatic-capable sport plane with honest ~200 mph cruise and the huge RV ecosystem behind it. Standard kit ~$48,300 (2026). 7A = tricycle gear.
Pros
- ✓ Best performance-per-dollar in amateur-built
- ✓ Enormous community + parts ecosystem
- ✓ Aerobatic + capable tourer
Cons
- ✗ Narrower cabin than RV-14
- ✗ Sliding canopy = summer heat + canopy-lock discipline
Full specification
Identity
| Manufacturer | Van's Aircraft (United States) |
| Status | In production |
| First flight | 2001 |
Classification
| Class | Homebuilt / Kit |
| Build form | Kit |
| Part 103 eligible | No |
| LSA eligible | No |
| Materials | aluminum |
| Gear | taildragger (RV-7) / tri (RV-7A) |
| Mission | cross-country, aerobatic |
Capacity
| Seats | 2 (side-by-side) |
| Engine options | 150–200 hp: IO-320 / IO-360 / O-360 family |
| Power | 150–215 hp |
| Fuel type | 100LL |
Performance
| Cruise | 199 mph |
| Stall | 58 mph |
| Vne | 230 mph |
| Range | 935 sm |
| Climb | 1,900 fpm |
| Ceiling | 22,500 ft |
| Takeoff dist. | 500 ft |
| Landing dist. | 500 ft |
Weights
| Useful load | 686 lb |
| Gross weight | 1,800 lb |
| Empty weight | 1,114 lb |
Dimensions
| Wingspan | 25 ft |
| Length | 20.83 ft |
| Height | 5.83 ft |
| Wing area | 121 sq ft |
| Cabin width | 40 in |
| Rotor (gyro/trike) | — |
Economics
| Kit price (base) | $48,300 |
| Kit price (complete) | $72,200 |
| Plans price | — |
| Est. finished cost | $180,000 |
Compiled from: vansaircraft.com/rv-7 spec/perf tables (2026) · vansaircraft.com kit price sheet — verify current kit pricing with the manufacturer.
Notable variants
- RV-7A tricycle gear
FAQ
- RV-7 or RV-14?
- RV-14 = wider cabin, bigger useful load, shorter build; RV-7 = lower kit cost, classic feel. Both aerobatic-capable two-seats.