What's a RV-7A and what's an amateur built aircraft you ask? First one needs to understand the second part of the question before being able to understand the first part. To start with let's briefly look at where powered flight started out. Wilbur and Orville Wright were two ingenious individuals with a thirst for flight. Wilbur and Orville studied the anatomy and physical movements of birds and combining this with their knowlegde of mechanics constructed something they felt could accomplish the same feat birds were capable of. History records their efforts were a success.
Once the world witnessed this feat many other inventive people also designed their own aircraft. All of these fledgling aircraft were constructed as one of a kind. Built in a garage, barn or handiman's shop they were truely amateur built aircraft as no aircraft industry existed. With the coming of the First World War it was soon discovered that aircraft had uses other than just flying for fun. An industry started up to support the war effort and aircraft soon were produced in larger numbers. After the war was over much of what was learned during the war was put to use and aircraft were utilized delivering mail and goods. Later as aircraft evolved, became larger and more capable, planes were designed for the first airlines.
As more and more planes filled the sky governments saw a need for rules and regulations governing the construction, use and operation of aircraft. Pilots, airlines and aircraft manufacturers had to follow rules and regulations. With the Second World War aircraft became increasingly more capable and numerous. After the war the aircraft industry flourished and many small personal aircraft were designed. The average private individual could now purchase a factory built aircraft just the same way they could purchase an automobile. A few individuals however liked the idea of building their own aircraft and set to work in their home shops or garages designing and building their own planes. Before long many of these individuals would gather together and share their thoughts, ideas and designs. Associations were formed and together with government regulators a new aircraft category call "Amateur Built" was created and rules and regulations were added for this category.
In a nutshell the amateur built aircraft rules require the builder accomplish at least 51% of the tasks that are required to construct an aircraft and that the purpose of the aircraft building be for personal education and recreation. No commercial use is permitted. Over time more and more people became interested in constructing their own aircraft. Many people ask designers of amateur built aircraft designs who had professional design qualifications to share their design. Initially designers sold only their design plans and amateur builders everywhere began "scratch" building their own planes based on design drawings. As the demand kept increasing some professional designers began producing kits with the materials necessary to make their designs. This has evolved to the point where today there are numerous designs that can be purchased as a kit in the amateur build category providing they meet the amateur building rules.
Now we get to the first part of the question, what's a RV-7A? One of the early amateur built kit designers and manufactures is an individual call Richard VanGrunsven. As a professional engineer and aircraft enthusiast "Van", as he is known, designed and built his own aircraft that was so well liked that many people ask for one and Van obliged by forming Van's Aircraft and has been in the kit business ever since. He has added more models since his first design, one of which is the RV-7A. This is a side by side two seat, low wing sport aircraft in a tricycle, fixed gear configuration. It's primary structure is constructed of traditional aluminium alloy sheet with steel used in components like the landing gear, engine mount and firewall. Fiberglass composite is used in various fairings and the engine cowling. Pictured below in the foreground is the kit contents as supplied by Van's and the finished product is pictured in the background.
Notes: In the above picture the plane is in a tail dragger configuration. This is designated the RV-7(no "A"). Also if you wish further information on amateur built aircraft associations you can visit the web site of the Experimental Aircraft Association in the U.S.A. or the Recreational Aircraft Association in Canada as well as the web site of The Ministers Delegate-Recreational Aircraft (MD-RA) for regulatory, inspection and certification requirements in Canada.
For information on Van's Aircraft visit their web site or Van's Airforce, the Van's builder Associations.
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