Welcome to my web site devoted to the building of our Van's RV-7A airplane

This is one of the largest and most exciting projects I have ever started, and it is years in the making. Too many years to think about really...but with a family and two other hobbies (flight instructing and mountaineering) the project is taking a long time. The process is very similar to climbing a mountain (%50 physical, 50% mental), and it is done one step at a time. At many moments along the way you may want to give up, and sometimes you have to back track try again later, but in the end the success will be worth it.

When this plane is finished, it will be a two seat, 200mph (174kt) aerobatic sport plane, with a Lycoming 180hp fuel injected, air cooled engine with a nose dragging wheel. The panel will be all electric and eventually IFR capable when the finances allow. It will have a tip up canopy as seen on the factory demonstrator above, which has an incredible view.

The goal of this site is to provide a place for family and friends to keep up with our progress, and to share what worked and didn't work with fellow builders. The information and suggestions provided on these pages is not guaranteed to be accurate or the best approach, but I hope it will be helpful and/or entertaining. 

See Van's page for specifications and more pictures of the RV-7 above: www.vansaircraft.com

Last Update(s) 01/14/2012: fuselage and fwf pages