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  #1  
Old 06-26-2006, 08:11 AM
RadMan RadMan is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Pensacola
Posts: 2
Question Completed RV-7 Prices

Hello all,
I am a RV owner wanna be right now. After much research, I have narrowed down my search for a new airplane to an RV. I had my first flight in a RV-6a, and got an up-close look at a RV-7 this past weekend. Since I am still very ignorant about RV's, I was hoping that I can get an answer to this question. Why are RV-7's so much more expensive to purchase when completed than an RV-6? From what I have re-searched, the only major price difference when building is the actual kit price. I have been told by 2 RV builders that the RV-7 is a more straight forward build than the RV-6, making it less labor intensive. With that in mind, shouldn't the finished price of an RV-7 be about the same as a finished RV-6? Of course we are assuming the same workmanship and instrumentation. I have just noticed that finished RV-7 costs on average about 30K more than an finished RV-6. Is it because an RV-7 is more desirable?

Craig
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  #2  
Old 06-26-2006, 08:36 AM
Jekyll Jekyll is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 625
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Craig:

Self-jigging, matched hole construction makes for kits that can be built more closely to the spec than would otherwise be possible by a varied bunch of ham-handed amatures (I proudly include myself in this group). A population of aircraft exhibiting more consistent replication of a proven design will yield higher prices than will one with less consistency (I'm talking as a whole here, I'm sure there are specific builds that would counter this contention). People may have greater confidence in the construction of the group as a whole.

Jekyll
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  #3  
Old 06-26-2006, 08:50 AM
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Dgamble Dgamble is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 847
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I noticed the same thing when I was shopping and attributed it to a "newer is better" mentality, which may or may not be well founded. Since my budget was limited, I went with a -6 and have been quite happy with it. I have no idea whether or not a 7 would have been "better," although it would have come with some of the newer parts that I now find myself upgrading the -6 with, such as the more aerodynamic wheel pants, leg and intersection fairings, etc.
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Grove City, OH

RV-6 N466PG Purchased already flying - SOLD!

The Book: The PapaGolf Chronicles

Built RV-12
http://www.schmetterlingaviation.com

The Book: Being written.

The above web blogs and any links provided thereto are not instructional or advisory in nature. They merely seek to share my experiences in building and flying Van's RV airplanes.
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  #4  
Old 06-26-2006, 09:01 AM
Yukon Yukon is offline
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Phoenix, Az
Posts: 920
Default Differences

The RV-7 has a higher gross weight, higher Vne, 2 more feet of wing, option for larger engine.

John
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  #5  
Old 06-26-2006, 11:33 AM
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Jamie Jamie is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yukon
The RV-7 has a higher gross weight, higher Vne, 2 more feet of wing, option for larger engine.

John
More fuel capacity, more leg room (per Van's engineers)...
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"What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." - Charles A. Lindbergh
Jamie | RV-7A First Flight: 7/27/2007 (Sold)
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  #6  
Old 06-26-2006, 01:01 PM
Highflight Highflight is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 472
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie
More fuel capacity, more leg room (per Van's engineers)...
Those snazzy Batman wingtips...
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RV7-A - Slider (QB Fuse and Wings)
Mattituck IO-360 (AFP) w/2 P-mags
Catto 3-Blade
SJ Cowl and Plenum
Panel: Dual GRT EFIS / EIS4000 / PMA8000B / SL-30 / SL-40 / Internal GRT GPS / GTX 327
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  #7  
Old 06-26-2006, 01:32 PM
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kevinh kevinh is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 1,419
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Bigger rudder.

Hot tub in back.
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-kevinh, Track my RV-7A, flying, alas, sold in 2013 after 450ish hours. (I'm now building something different)
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  #8  
Old 06-26-2006, 01:40 PM
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N162RV N162RV is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 99
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Can leap buildings in single bound!
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Scott Frierson
Picayune,MS
RV6A 160HP
(Sold)
RV12 (sold)
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  #9  
Old 06-26-2006, 01:48 PM
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hecilopter hecilopter is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 397
Default Beefier tail

The tail skins are thicker, and the tail is larger (like the 8) which lets it accomodate up to 200 HP. Also, I have an -A model and the gear is longer making it sit taller, giving it a more stately look. The wing spar is different. Overall, there are several differences. I love mine!
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Rusty "Rooster" Williams
N357RV RV-7A Tip Up (flying and Painted!) - 1560+ hrs.
Superior XP-360, carbureted, Hartzell 74" Blended Airfoil Prop
Grand Prairie, TX
KGPM
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  #10  
Old 06-26-2006, 03:18 PM
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Davepar Davepar is offline
 
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Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,166
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Are the panels comparable? I'd guess that since the -7's are newer, they might have newer avionics.

Also, the -7 has the option of using a 200hp engine.
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www.dualrudder.com/rv7 - building blog
RunwayFinder.com - airport info, online charts, live METARs, TFRs, etc.
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