SX-ALY
Active Member
Hi to all
This is my first post and i would like to congratulate all of you for this amazing forum, support and help you provide to each other builder. You guys act like a family. A big RV family.
I search these forums for months trying to find information about RVs, i visit many builders sites (Dan's and others) and i was impressed by the way those "little" planes performs, handles and flying according to their owners.
I have never seen one in person and all i know is from the internet.
I have my PPL and i flew C-152, 172, Warrior, Saratoga in the past.
My dream airplane is (was?) a Mooney 201, 231 based of their excellent efficiency and speed. I didn't like to cruise at 110 Knots like most of the certified 20+ years (or newer) 4 seat airplanes do. I was impressed by the 170+ knots cruise speed of the 231.
Then i found out about RVs. Van's claims cruise speeds up to 178 knots for a 7A 200 hp, or 172 knots for a 180 hp. (sorry i don't like to talk mph in airplanes, like it is a car)
What i like to ask is if those numbers are true and correct and if they are attainable for the average builder, building according to plans. I see very few builders posting real performance numbers on this forum (unless i couldn't find them). Dan is one of them that actually exceeds them.
What i like to have is an XC cruiser with an "easy" 170+ knots cruise speed not a race drag and the question is if this is possible with an 180 hp engine or you really need the more expensive 200 hp.
I know weight is not a big factor when talking speed (small difference in Van's numbers), but what variables really affect cruise speed other than power?
"Clean & straight" built is one but how "clean" is Van's test aircraft (antennas , steps, smooth surfaces, fairings alignment, etc).
Also i see that Van's 7A has no steps (at least on pictures).
I have more to ask about engines FI Horizontal, Vertical difference in power etc but i dont want my already long first post to be longer than a whole book.
Thanks in advance for your courage to read all this.
Thanos
RV-7A Dreaming
This is my first post and i would like to congratulate all of you for this amazing forum, support and help you provide to each other builder. You guys act like a family. A big RV family.
I search these forums for months trying to find information about RVs, i visit many builders sites (Dan's and others) and i was impressed by the way those "little" planes performs, handles and flying according to their owners.
I have never seen one in person and all i know is from the internet.
I have my PPL and i flew C-152, 172, Warrior, Saratoga in the past.
My dream airplane is (was?) a Mooney 201, 231 based of their excellent efficiency and speed. I didn't like to cruise at 110 Knots like most of the certified 20+ years (or newer) 4 seat airplanes do. I was impressed by the 170+ knots cruise speed of the 231.
Then i found out about RVs. Van's claims cruise speeds up to 178 knots for a 7A 200 hp, or 172 knots for a 180 hp. (sorry i don't like to talk mph in airplanes, like it is a car)
What i like to ask is if those numbers are true and correct and if they are attainable for the average builder, building according to plans. I see very few builders posting real performance numbers on this forum (unless i couldn't find them). Dan is one of them that actually exceeds them.
What i like to have is an XC cruiser with an "easy" 170+ knots cruise speed not a race drag and the question is if this is possible with an 180 hp engine or you really need the more expensive 200 hp.
I know weight is not a big factor when talking speed (small difference in Van's numbers), but what variables really affect cruise speed other than power?
"Clean & straight" built is one but how "clean" is Van's test aircraft (antennas , steps, smooth surfaces, fairings alignment, etc).
Also i see that Van's 7A has no steps (at least on pictures).
I have more to ask about engines FI Horizontal, Vertical difference in power etc but i dont want my already long first post to be longer than a whole book.
Thanks in advance for your courage to read all this.
Thanos
RV-7A Dreaming
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