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RV-7 or RV-14 - which would you buy (used, pre-built) and why?

N

Notso

Well Known Member
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I've got a good friend who's looking to buy either an RV-7 or RV-14 (TW only) and he's trying to decide on which model. What are the pro's and cons of both? He just sold his RV-9, so he's well familiar with RVs.

My understanding is the RV-14 is bigger and roomier. Is it a minor difference or pretty significant? Does the -14 have more baggage room? More useful load?

I think the -14 is a bit faster. Is the bigger IO-390 motor any less reliable than the std -360? Any significant increase in MX costs on the -14?

How does the -14 handle vs the -7 with basic Acro?

I can read all the specs on Van's website, but nothing beats first hand experience.

Thanks in advance.
 
The actual model is irrelevant.

The important factor is who built it, I.E, what level of build quality it has.

The same build quality is possible by a specific builder, regardless of which model they built.
 
RV14’s are pretty rare. The Vans website shows less than 300 being finished vs thousands of RV7’s. I’ve never seen an RV14.
 
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Just a few comments, if the canopy style is important the -7 has two choices (slider and tip up) the 14 I believe is only tip up. The 14 is bigger in the passenger compartment but I think the baggage area is similar between the models. 14 is more powerful and to some extent is probably constructed more consistently with less variability due to the improved kit from Vans and improved construction drawings. Due to the later introduction you will also see the 14's with more modern panels but as noted there are few around and they tend to be pricey. I suspect you might find better deals with a legacy -7 if you want to do some upgrades yourself. Both are great aircraft and I love my -7 even with my Frankenstein panel. As Scott noted the build quality is important and for the -7 it is still supported if upgrades etc. are required. Comes down to mission and money
Figs :)
 
I have a 7A slider so take this for what it's cost. If you can find a really lean 7 (weight), it will be worth every penny. My 7A flies amazing. I've flown in a 14A. It definitely has more space and power, but there's nothing like a small, nimble, light RV. I'm still smiling every flight and mine is a little pudgy.
 
I flew a 14A for 5 years and 800 hrs. If I could have fit comfortably in a 7A, I would have flown that. (I'm 6'4 and 210 lbs.) The 14 "typically" has a 390 in it and a 7 "typically" a 360 and with the 14's added weight (It is bigger and heavier) practically a wash in speed. (I have flown both and can't find a demonstrated performance difference) The 14's wing does stall much cleaner and basically just "mushes" while losing 500 fpm where the 7's I've flown drop a wing pretty bad. There seems to be better deals out there on used 14's vs 14A's. If you can "comfortably" fit in a 7 that is what I'd be looking at. (And yes, Larry is correct a 7 with a slider is very nice)

Good luck !
 
dmattmul said:
I flew a 14A for 5 years and 800 hrs. If I could have fit comfortably in a 7A, I would have flown that. (I'm 6'4 and 210 lbs.) The 14 "typically" has a 390 in it and a 7 "typically" a 360 and with the 14's added weight (It is bigger and heavier) practically a wash in speed. (I have flown both and can't find a demonstrated performance difference) The 14's wing does stall much cleaner and basically just "mushes" while losing 500 fpm where the 7's I've flown drop a wing pretty bad. There seems to be better deals out there on used 14's vs 14A's. If you can "comfortably" fit in a 7 that is what I'd be looking at. (And yes, Larry is correct a 7 with a slider is very nice)

Good luck !
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Just a data points. My 7A doesn't drop a wing. She just flops nose over. Assuming she's coordinated at stall. 😆
 
As Scott said, so much depends on who built it and how it was made. For reference, my RV-7 stalls straight ahead with a gentle break. No dropping off of a wing and no drama. With the advancement in kit design that Van's made into the 14, I believe there is typically less variability in build quality across that model line. With that said, I looked over a 14 at an unnamed paint shop years ago that had so many issues that it made me gasp. Literally, gasp. My understanding was that the builder took his plane back home and corrected myriad discrepancies before it came back to the paint shop.

7's are cheaper than 14's and there's more of them out there. There are even more 6's flying, and they're typically less expensive than the 7's. They all put a smile on your face.
 
It's all about buying your last airplane first. The 7 is great for punching holes in the sky on a Sunday morning, but the 14 is built for real travel and comfort. For a long term machine that actually fits a real world mission, the 14 is the ideal setup.
 
ForgeTheFlight2013 said:
It's all about buying your last airplane first. The 7 is great for punching holes in the sky on a Sunday morning, but the 14 is built for real travel and comfort. For a long term machine that actually fits a real world mission, the 14 is the ideal setup.
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Thanks. He typically is a "go somewhere" kinda guy rather than a "fly around in circles locally" guy, so I thought the RV-14 would be a better fit for him. Also, he's a big guy (not fat) just tall - so thought the bigger cockpit might be a bit more comfy.

From the specs - it also look like the -14 has a bigger useful load.
 
I (6’1”) recently took my father in law (6’5”) for a flight around in my -7. He had plenty of leg room and head room, but the seat back was at a more upright position than he would have liked. But I find it very comfortable. The “almost 14” mod helps from what I’ve heard. But I don’t think the -7 is small or uncomfortable in any way
 
For context, I put over 1000 hrs xc on a well built slider canopy RV7, and have just over 900 hours on my current RV14. Have flown both all over the USA. I definitely prefer the 14. It’s noticeably roomier (I no longer rub shoulders when anyone other than a petite person is in the right seat). It’s faster (capable of 190+ ktas down low and can cruise from 170-175 ktas depending on altitude) and capable of good fuel efficiency that’s about the same as I saw in my 7. The baggage area is a bit larger than the 7’s - but as with all RVs, I wish it was larger (one of the reasons I’m building a 15 - I’m willing to trade a bit of speed for the ability to carry a lot more stuff and access more rough fields).

If you’re building, the 14 goes together much easier than the 7.

I do prefer the lines (aesthetic) of the 7 - it’s a great looking plane. Oddly, as much as I liked the 7’s slider canopy, and was disappointed it wasn’t an option on the 14, from the first flight in the tip-up I became a convert due to the wonderfully unobstructed view.

Finally, from listening to folks that have flown w me - if you’re one of those that told Saint Peter you’d prefer brains over height, you might prefer the more compact size of the 7. Easier to see over the cowling, reach the dipstick, etc. I’m 5-11, 200 lbs, and the 14 fits me well. The 7 did, too - it just felt cramped when I had an adult in the second seat.

All that said, both are great planes. Hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with either.
 
wirejock said:
Just a data points. My 7A doesn't drop a wing. She just flops nose over. Assuming she's coordinated at stall. 😆
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Fly Alex's D. 7 out of the Dallas area. Vans transition trainer. Will definitely teach one to learn proper stall recovery technique!
 
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