TYPE: Side-by-side kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Replacement for the RV-6 and RV-6A. Design work undertaken during 2000; prototype (N137RV) first flown 19 March 2001. Public debut at Sun 'n' Fun in April 2001. RV-6/6A kits currently under construction can be completed to RV-7/7A standard by using optional parts.

CURRENT VERSIONS: RV-7: Tailwheel version.
RV-7A: Nosewheel version.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 935 kits sold by July 2002 and 1,000 by August 2002, of which 41 were flying by 9 October 2003.

COSTS: RV-7 kit US$16,450, quick-build kit US$24,375; RV-7A kit US$17,125, quick-build kit US$25,050 (2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: Shares commonality of parts with the RV-8/8A and RV-9A. Quoted build time reduced to 1,400 hours compared to RV-6 family due to improvements made in kit production.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Horn-balanced rudder and elevators, flight-adjustable tab in port tailplane. Plain electric flaps.

STRUCTURE: Fuselage and wings of metal, with composites wingtips, tailplane tip, fintip, fin-root fairing, cowling, landing gear legs, fairings and spats.

LANDING GEAR: Fixed; choice of tricycle or tailwheel; Wittman leaf-spring main legs. Speed fairing on main legs. Solid tailwheel.

POWER PLANT: Prototype has 149 kW (200 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-360 driving a two-blade Hartzell constant-speed propeller; the design accepts engines in the 112 to 149 kW (150 to 200 hp) range. Fuel capacity 159 litres (42.0 US gallons; 35.0 Imp gallons) in two wing tanks.

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and passenger side by side under forward-hinged one-piece canopy; optional rearward-sliding canopy with fixed windscreen. Compared to RV-6, cabin room is increased.