Van's Aircraft RV-10
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| RV-10 | |
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 An RV-10 at the Van's Aircraft display at Sun n Fun 2006 in Lakeland Florida |
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| Type | RV-10 |
| Manufacturer | Van's Aircraft |
| Designed by | Richard VanGrunsven |
| Maiden flight | May 2003 |
| Introduction | 2003 |
| Number built | 124[1] |
| Unit cost | USD$95,000-$121,000[2] |
| Developed from | Van's Aircraft RV-7 |
The Van's Aircraft RV-10 is a four-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplane sold in kit form by Van's Aircraft. It is the first four-seat airplane in the popular RV series. The RV-10 first flew in May 2003, and the first kit parts were delivered to a customer in September 2003.
By March 2008 124 RV-10s had been completed and flown.[1]
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[edit] Development
The architect of the line of Van’s aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven, designed the RV-10 to satisfy a market demand for a four-seat version of the popular RV series aircraft. The RV-10 was designed from the start as a touring aircraft and as such it forgoes the aerobatic capabilities and the lighter handling common to the aircraft in the RV line from the RV-3 to RV-8. Instead the RV-10 design focuses on greater stability and payload.
The design power is 210 to 260 (150 to 190 kW) and the prototype was flown with a Lycoming IO-540 powerplant of 260 hp, which is the maximum that the airframe was designed to accept.[2]
This is the first aircraft in the RV line that does not have a hinged or sliding canopy. VanGrunsven instead opted for two gull-winged doors to provide access to the four seats.
This design has benefited from many of the production changes that were pioneered with the RV-7, RV-8 and the RV-9. Like those aircraft, the RV-10 uses computer assisted design to produce a kit with pre-drilled rivet holes, thus greatly reducing assembly time for the builder. The RV-10 is available only as a tricycle landing gear version and no tailwheel or retractable landing gear versions are planned.
The aircraft is constructed of aluminum with the cabin structure and gull-winged doors made from composite materials. The landing gear is tubular steel with the nosewheel mounting tube welded to the engine mount. As in all nose-wheel equipped RV aircraft, the nosewheel is free castering and the aircraft is steered with differential braking. The brakes are mounted conventionally on the rudder pedal toes.
[edit] Pricing
The total price of the kit as of April 30, 2006, is $36,180. A "quick-build" option with pre-built wings and fuselage is $46,230.[3] After adding an engine, propeller, avionics and other costs, Van's estimates that the kit can be completed for a total cost between $70,000 and $100,000. Many builders have chosen to install advanced glass cockpit avionics, which can increase the total cost to as much as $150,000.
[edit] Construction Time
The amount of time and effort required to build the airplane can vary greatly, but Vans claims that the average first-time builder can complete it in 2,000 man-hours.[2]
[edit] Aircraft Type Club
The RV-10 has a very active aircraft type club, Van's Air Force, that provides support for builders, owners and pilots of these aircraft.
[edit] Specifications (RV-10)
Specifications are given for 260HP, IO-540 configuration. General characteristics
- Crew: Pilot
- Capacity: 4 occupants (Including Pilot)
- Length: 24 ft 5 in (7.44 m)
- Wingspan: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
- Height: 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
- Wing area: 148 ft² (13.7 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,520 lb (689 kg)
- Loaded weight: 2,700 lb (1225 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2600lb (1181kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-540/IO-540, 210-260hp (157-194 kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: mph (km/h)
- Maximum speed: 208 mph at sea level (332 km/h)
- Range: 1,000 miles Cruise 55% power at 8,000 ft (1,600 km)
- Service ceiling 20,000 ft (est) (6,100 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,450 ft/min (7.4 m/s)
- Wing loading: 18.6 lb/ft² (91 kg/m²)
[edit] References
- ^ a b Vans Aircraft (March 2008). First Flights. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ a b c Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 78, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvoir Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
- ^ Kit Prices / Lead Times
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
[edit] Related development
[edit] Similar aircraft
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