Why not an RV-14?
 

I apologize if this sort of thing has been asked before but I'm just looking for some clarification. I've been lurking here forever! I have been flying for almost 21 years now and have always wanted to build my own airplane. I finally came to the realization that there's probably never a good time to build a plane. You just have to do it. I recently ordered the plans for the RV-7 and am currently reorganizing my garage and acquiring the tools I need. I'll probably order an empennage kit after the new year. I was also looking at the RV-14. There's a lot fewer 14s flying than 7s. Also, a lot less motor options out there for the 14. It seems that there are IO-360s under every rock in comparison! I don't think I can burn mogas in the 390 either, right? It looks like the 7 is a little more agile and slightly faster. Personally, I want a great cross country plane that can do the occasional loop or roll.

I'm 6'1" tall and about 215 pounds. My wife is also 6'1" tall and quite a bit thinner. HA! She doesn't like flying as much as I do and I'd probably be solo most of the time. I'm retired from the Air Force where I started out as an aircraft mechanic for the first nine years and then I was a flight engineer for the last 11. I work for Boeing now. Airplanes are no stranger to me and I have thousands of flight hours. I definitely miss all of the flying though and need my own plane! I'm pretty set on the 7 and I realize I'm posting in the RV-7 forum. I just need some enablers to give me that final push over the edge into the 7 instead of the 14!

The 7 and the 14 are quite similar, but also not.
You will find the cockpit of the 14 to be a bit larger. Providing better leg, head and shoulder room. If I were you I would find a local 7 that you and your wife can sit in and see if it fits your desired level of comfort and spaciousness. There are some modifications you can make for more head and leg room but the shoulder room is fixed.
Another nod to the 14 is the continuing development of the Van's kits and the plans. The 7 plans start out very specific and get more general as the build progresses. Read through your preview plans to see what I mean. I am sure some of that is by design. They shouldn't need to remind you to smooth and de-burr every piece but sometimes a little more clarity is nice. The good thing is that any questions you might have are always answered. The 14 plans that I have looked at seem to have a more consistent level of detail/instruction throughout the build.
Haven't flown a 14 but I have sat in them. At 6'5" I find the 7 to be a bit of a squeeze. Especially with 2 on board. I did not get that feeling at all while sitting in the 14.
The 7 flies wonderfully and you wouldn't be disappointed. I assume the 14 flies similarly but probably not exactly the same. I know the 10 flies nicer than nearly any spam can out there so one can assume the engineers at Van's worked equally as hard to make the 14 a pleasant aircraft to fly.
The 7 is a great airplane but if I was building a 2 seat side by side I would build a 14 if for no other reason than the extra room.

Come out to Atlanta and fly the rv14. It's a really nice airplane. As is the 7! The 14 just has all of the creature comforts we like as we get older, like more space. 😀

If you're contemplating the A model I'd buy the RV14A just to get the more robust nose gear. The RV7A nosegear has proven to be very fragile.

10=Lexus Rx350
14=BMW
7=lambourgini
F1 Rocket=Bugatti Chiron
:)

The 7 is hands down sportier and more nimble than the 14. The 14 is heavier in control forces and also more stable.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but the 7A nose gear is NOT fragile.

Walt is spot on, nothing fragile about the 7A nose gear. I see the 14 as having more room than the 7 and for a well equipped 14 you will have 185k invested. It's a two seat 10 but I do love it and if budget was no issue I would build the 14. The 7 has RV 8 wings and is much more of a sport airplane that has great cross country performance as well. It's really about your mission and to some extent your budget, both are wonderful airplanes.

Or just put in auto pilot and that 7 will calm right on down to a ......sorry, can't think of anything, can't afford any BMW to compare it to :rolleyes:

Either will give you the RV grin. If you opt for the -7, build it with the Anti-Splat Almost -14 mod for more seat back room.

I'm 5'8" and 205 but have friends that want to fly that are well over 6' tall so I will be doing the Almost -14 mod during my first annual in Jan 2018.