Vans RV-7 for Sale — Buy or Sell the Modern Side-by-Side RV Homebuilt
The Vans RV-7 is the direct successor to the enormously popular RV-6 — a refined, modernized side-by-side two-seat homebuilt that took every lesson from the RV-6 program and applied it to a new generation of kit manufacturing and construction techniques. Introduced in 2001, the RV-7 offers the same exceptional performance and flying qualities that made the RV-6 a legend, combined with improved kit precision, updated systems architecture, and better accommodation for modern avionics. With a cruise speed of 170 to 190 mph, a roll rate exceeding 150 degrees per second, and a comfortable side-by-side cockpit, the RV-7 represents the current standard for high-performance two-seat homebuilt aircraft. Airplane Trade offers a curated marketplace of RV-7 aircraft for sale, connecting serious buyers with motivated sellers worldwide.
From RV-6 to RV-7: What Changed and Why
Van's Aircraft introduced the RV-7 not because the RV-6 was inadequate, but because manufacturing technology and builder expectations had evolved. The RV-7 kit features tighter tolerances, more pre-fabricated components, and clearer instructions than the RV-6 — reflecting two decades of lessons from the world's largest homebuilder support program. Parts that required manual fitting and trimming in the RV-6 kit now arrive ready to install, reducing builder time and the potential for construction errors.
Structurally, the RV-7 is essentially the same aircraft as the RV-6, with the same wing design, similar fuselage cross-section, and identical engine options. The changes are primarily in construction quality and systems provisions — the RV-7 instrument panel was redesigned to better accommodate modern glass avionics, and the electrical system provisions were updated for the higher electrical loads of contemporary cockpit equipment. The result is an aircraft that is easier to build, easier to equip with modern avionics, and equally extraordinary to fly.
Performance Specifications
Most RV-7s are powered by the Lycoming O-360 producing 180 horsepower, though O-320 installations are also common for builders seeking lighter weight and lower fuel consumption. With the O-360:
- Top speed — 190 to 200 mph (165 to 174 knots)
- Cruise speed — 170 to 185 mph at 75% power
- Fuel burn — 8 to 10 gallons per hour at cruise
- Roll rate — approximately 150 to 165 degrees per second
- Rate of climb — 1,500 to 1,800 feet per minute
- Takeoff roll — under 800 feet at gross weight
- Stall speed — approximately 52 mph clean
- Range — 700 to 900 miles depending on power setting
- Gross weight — 1,600 lbs maximum
The RV-7 (tailwheel) and RV-7A (tricycle gear) share identical performance figures in cruise. The tailwheel variant is the choice of pilots who want traditional handling and maximum aerodynamic cleanliness; the RV-7A suits those who prefer the gentler ground handling of nosewheel aircraft.
Cockpit, Comfort, and Avionics
The RV-7 side-by-side cockpit is 42 inches wide — identical to the RV-6 — but benefits from the revised instrument panel layout that accommodates large glass displays without custom fabrication. The vast majority of RV-7s completed in recent years feature full glass panels using either the Garmin G3X Touch or Dynon SkyView HDX system, integrated with modern engine monitoring, moving map navigation, and in many cases a coupled autopilot. ADS-B in/out compliance is standard on recent builds, and many owners have added IFR-capable navigators like the Garmin GTN 650 or 750 for true instrument flight capability.
The bubble canopy provides exceptional all-around visibility, and the cockpit noise level is lower than most certified light aircraft at equivalent speeds. Heated cabin systems, comfortable seating with adjustable rudder pedals, and smooth control forces make the RV-7 genuinely pleasant for cross-country flights of three hours or more.
Buying a Used RV-7
The RV-7 represents strong value in the used aircraft market. Because the type is relatively recent — the oldest examples are from the early 2000s — even the earliest RV-7s typically have modern avionics by now, having been updated as glass panel systems became affordable. Key factors to evaluate in any used RV-7: build log completeness and quality, engine time and condition, avionics fit and currency, landing gear condition and attachment integrity, and compliance with applicable Van's Aircraft Service Bulletins. A pre-purchase inspection by an experienced A&P is essential before any transaction.
Find Your Vans RV-7 on Airplane Trade
Browse current RV-7 listings on Airplane Trade. Search by location, price, avionics, and engine hours. Connect directly with sellers without broker fees or middlemen. The RV-7 is the definitive modern side-by-side homebuilt — find yours today.