I wouldn't fret or cause concern where there isn't any. The 7 happens to be the most popular kit.
Vic
I wouldn't fret or cause concern where there isn't any. The 7 happens to be the most popular kit.
Vic
The 14 doesn't replace the 7, being more expensive to build and operate, no slider, weaker structure;
There are still significantly more RV6's flying than any other model, so I'm not sure what the definition of "most popular" is. Perhaps there are more sold and still under construction.
https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/first-flights.htm
As of March 15, 2018 10,086 RV aircraft have been completed and flown!
Listed by Model
RV-3 298
RV-4 1,416
RV-6/6A 2,636
RV-7/7A 1,679
RV-8/8A 1,454
RV-9/9A 1,082
RV-10 881
RV-12 587
RV-14/14A 53
I had some time to kill so I ran the sales numbers divided by the number of years on the market.
The 7 has sold an average of 99 kits per year. The 14 has sold 9. The numbers don?t seem to show that the 7 is in danger of being displaced by the 14. In fact, the opposite appears to be the concern.
Here?s all of them. Units sold divided by years available.
3. 6.3
4. 26
6. 80
7. 99
8. 63
9. 68
10 59
12. 73
14. 8.8
I believe those ratios are number of kits ?completed? per years sold. I don?t think we know the actual number of kits sold per year by model.
Yes RV-7/A most popular of current models, second to RV-6 NLA. There are about 10,600 RV's built. What are current sales? Ask Van's.Does anyone know if the RV-7 is sold more by Van's than other models? Which model seems to be most desirable base on kits sales?
Thanks for your critique of my post. Seems like the RV6/RV7 is most desirable based on past sales.. I don't have access to Van's current business data, kit sales. Past performance may not be a prediction of the future, but it does show RV-6 and RV-7 models historically as the most popular.Since the O.P.'s question was in the context of concern that it would be phased out of production.... the only thing that would cause that would be dwindling sales.
In the context of recent sales, Vic's statement is true. It is only natural I guess, since the model that the RV-7 replaced is just an improved version of the worlds most popular kit airplane.......
I doubt it, other than ageing airframes. The 6 and 7 are functional and cost equals. No surprise then that the fabrication technology, range, and almost-don't-notice slightly larger cabin of the 7 would prevail over the 6. The 14 doesn't replace the 7, being more expensive to build and operate, no slider, weaker structure; it's a fat cruiser, not sporty, and in my less-than-humble opinion it's greater cabin volume isn't as useful as it appears. The 14's kit improvements cease after the build, having no effect on the operational characteristics.
John Siebold
Read the context of the paragraph, RV-7 vs RV-14... Sorry you misunderstood.... The RV-14 has bigger cockpit than RV-7, no mention of RV-6. The RV-6/RV-7/RV-9 share similar (or identical) fuselage and cabin dimensions which are SAT for me. A few minutes on Van's web site will make it clear.Where is the -7 cabin larger then the -6?
Thanks for your critique of my post.
I am confused. Post #22 I repeated similar data as Northernliving. I see you replied to him. My bad. Sorry.
I'm confused about your comment George.......
The the post that you quoted (dated from almost 2 years ago) was addressed to a post made by Northernliving. I don't see that you had even made any posts earlier in this thread.......
Would this engine make any sense on a RV14? Anyone doing/done this?