There are sooooo many factors to consider when investing in something like an aircraft: safety, cost, capacity, function, speed, performance and the list goes on. As almost all the intelligent comments on forums point out, everyone has a different formula for success and inevitably that formula will evolve over time when external factors impact the timeline somehow such as: family; occupation/income; location; health, etc. That in mind, I considered what I wanted to use the plane for, researched the popular designs and came up with this...
I wanted to find out who owned the above RV-7 and I understand Mr Chris Sands built it but sold it later in 2011. I hope the current owner doesn't mind me mentioning and showing his/her pride and joy here. If you do, please let me know and I will remove any reference. The reason I added the above photo is because this is the aircraft that kick started my love for Van's aircraft. I thought it was a picture of perfection. I could imagine myself flying one of these around Australia and possibly even further some day.
Hmm. Wow. Them's a lot of parts. After a little more reading, I realized the above photo was the Quickbuild kit. The Slow-build kit looks even more impressive...
(Although I obtained both images from the web, I believe they were taken by Vans Aircraft)
Now, I realize that the images above (except the one in the title block) are all RV-7s. When I became serious about planning to build one of these brilliant kits, the '7 suited me most for what I wanted to do and the fact I could see myself taking passengers that I would prefer to sit next to and be able to see.
Then in mid-2013 I saw the RV-14 at Oshkosh. During a presentation by Dick Van Grunsven and one of his design engineers, an image of the tail-dragger was flashed up on the screen obviously to give those awaiting release a little tease. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get a shot of it but it looked really nice. I've been for a short flight in an RV-7A and neither myself nor the pilot are big people but our shoulders we were still touching . I've flown 152's plenty and I know for a fact that being in contact with someone else on a hot day for a long trip is not a very pleasant experience and the cabin just seems that much smaller. This is the main point that attracted me the '14 above the '7. When equivalent images are released for the RV-14, I'll be sure to put them up here.
Update: 11th Aug 2019
Vans have added an image of the RV-14 Quick-build kit components
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I created this page (and site) way back in 2013. When there was only one RV-14 flying and possibly some wings being built also. There are now quite a few RV14's flying around the world and some amazing design's out there.
That being the case, I just wanted to add a photo of one of the nicest RV-14's I've seen so far. This spectacular looking RV-14 has recently been sold by Stoney & J. I've not spoken to him, but I hope he doesn't mind me showing an image of his ex-pride & joy. I hope mine ends up half this beautiful....
Now, I realize that the images above (except the one in the title block) are all RV-7s. When I became serious about planning to build one of these brilliant kits, the '7 suited me most for what I wanted to do and the fact I could see myself taking passengers that I would prefer to sit next to and be able to see.
Then in mid-2013 I saw the RV-14 at Oshkosh. During a presentation by Dick Van Grunsven and one of his design engineers, an image of the tail-dragger was flashed up on the screen obviously to give those awaiting release a little tease. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get a shot of it but it looked really nice. I've been for a short flight in an RV-7A and neither myself nor the pilot are big people but our shoulders we were still touching . I've flown 152's plenty and I know for a fact that being in contact with someone else on a hot day for a long trip is not a very pleasant experience and the cabin just seems that much smaller. This is the main point that attracted me the '14 above the '7. When equivalent images are released for the RV-14, I'll be sure to put them up here.
Update: 11th Aug 2019
Vans have added an image of the RV-14 Quick-build kit components
And the end result...
Now that's a nice looking aircraft!!
*********************************************************
I created this page (and site) way back in 2013. When there was only one RV-14 flying and possibly some wings being built also. There are now quite a few RV14's flying around the world and some amazing design's out there.
That being the case, I just wanted to add a photo of one of the nicest RV-14's I've seen so far. This spectacular looking RV-14 has recently been sold by Stoney & J. I've not spoken to him, but I hope he doesn't mind me showing an image of his ex-pride & joy. I hope mine ends up half this beautiful....
