Photograph:
Vans RV-3 VH-EXP (c/n 759) at Albion Park, NSW in February 2007 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 93 kw (125 hp) Lycoming O-290-G four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 6.07 m (19 ft 11 in)
- Length: 5.79 m (19 ft)
- Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 8.36 m² (90 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 314 km/h (195 mph)
- Cruising speed at 2,240 m (8.000 ft): 298 km/h (185 mph)
- Economical cruising speed at 3,050 m ((10,000 ft): 257 km/h (160 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down: 84 km/h (52 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 579 m/min (1,900 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 6,400 m(21,000 ft)
- Range [no reserve]: 965 km (600 miles)
- Empty weight: 315 kg (695 lb)
- Loaded weight: 476 kg (1,050 lb)
History:
The Vans RV-3 was a single-seat sporting monoplane designed by Richard Van Grunsven in the USA in 1968. The prototype was built over a period of 2½ years and, subsequently, at the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in at Oshkosh in Wisconsin, it won the award for Best Aerodynamic Detailing. The fuselage was a semi-monocoque structure fitted with a bubble canopy and fibreglass engine cowling. The wing was a cantilever constant chord structure with an I-beam main spar, a light rear spar, pressed metal ribs, light alloy skin and fibreglass wingtips. Plain flaps were fitted inboard of the all-metal Frise-type ailerons, the latter being capable of drooping to augment the flaps. The fixed undercarriage was of tapered spring steel main legs with streamline fairings and a steerable tailwheel. Fuel capacity was normally 90.92 litres (20 Imp gals). Luggage space was provided behind the seat.
Many sets of plans have been sold to amateur constructors around the world and a considerable number have been completed. The first completed in Australia was VH-NDX (c/n V300) registered on 22 July 1999 but transferred to the RAA register on 4 April 2006. It was followed by VH-BEM4 (c/n 285 – ex 5Y-BES), registered on 27 January 1999 but destroyed in a crash near Toowoomba, QLD on 12 March 2000, and VH-RVP8 (c/n N11352) registered on 23 January 2001.
Other RV-3s include VH-EXP² (c/n 759 – ex ZK-DRV) registered on 13 November 2006, later transferred to the RAA register; VH-PTZ³ (c/n 32012) registered on 22 March 2013; VH-NQJ (c/n 11047), an RV-3A-J, registered on 26 November 2007 and transferred to the RAA register as 24-7365, but returned to VH-NQJ in March 2010; 19-7641 (c/n 716 – ex N716DR) registered on 15 October 2010; 19-8684 (c/n 11495), an RV-3B, registered on 14 October 2015; and an RV-3B (c/n 11510) which became VH-VIJ on 10 October 2018.
The first RV-3s in New Zealand were ZK-PMH (c/n AACA/710) followed by VH-DRV (c/n 759); and RV-3 ULs ZK-RVE (AACA/622), ZK-WCO (c/n 11504), ZK-WHO (c/n AACA/612) and ZK-XRD (c/n 682). Further examples have been completed.