The Vanˋs Aircraft RV-10

(Information provided by Van’s Aircraft)

Van’s about the RV-10 model: When we set out to design the RV-10, we wanted to create a four-seat airplane that held four full-sized adults comfortably, allowed them to get in and out without painful contortions, let them take a reasonable amount of baggage, provided an excellent view of the passing country, and made that country pass at a rapid rate.

RV-10 structure is typical of RVs — and most production aircraft, for that matter. It is a monocoque aluminum airframe held together with rivets. This method has been the standard in aircraft construction for more than sixty years. It is almost impossible to beat the combination of light weight, structural integrity, simplicity and affordability that aluminum provides. The main landing gear is extremely simple, consisting of tapered steel rods with a wheel on one end and the airplane on the other. There are no oleos, bungee cords or shock absorbers.

The nosewheel rides on a robust steel strut, pivoting on the upper end and damped by rubber donuts. It can handle virtually any prepared surface; grass, gravel or pavement.

This gear is light, simple and inexpensive, and with Van’s typical attention to detail, produces so little drag that the RV-10 will outrun several similarly powered retractables. Power is provided by standard six cylinder aircraft engines. The RV-10 is powered by a fuel injected 260 horsepower Lycoming IO-540 — probably one of the most reliable internal combustion engines ever devised.

Occupant protection is an important concern. The composite cabin top provides roll-over protection.

The cabin interior is designed around Oregon Aero seats and seat cushions, (provided in the kit) which provide the best available impact mitigation — and comfort. Like all other RVs, the RV-10 has impressively low stall and landing speeds. If necessary, it can be safely landed in very small spaces at speeds that give the occupants the best possible chance of escaping injury.

The RV-10 cabin accommodates four full-sized adults. Both front and back seats will hold people at least 6’4” (195cm) tall and provide them with truly comfortable leg and headroom. The tanks hold sixty U.S. gallons of fuel — enough to fly for four hours at a cruise speed of 201mph / 320 kmh / 175 kts. Economy cruise at 175mph / 280kmh / 156kts results in an endurance of over five hours.

The baggage compartment will accept 100 lbs (45kg) of “stuff” loaded through the baggage door on the left side. If fewer than four people are traveling, the rear seat backs may be removed in minutes for extra baggage space. RVs are known for short-field capability and the RV-10 is no exception. Even at gross weight, the RV-10 can operate from very short runways and climb well at high density altitudes. A light airframe and a powerful engine combine to make the RV-10 an excellent “weight-lifter.” It will carry four standard people, full fuel and sixty pounds of baggage.

When many pilots say “performance”, they really mean “speed.” By most standards the RV-10 is quite a fast airplane, but speed is only part of the story.

The RV-10 derives its high cruise speed from a light, clean and fairly small airframe, instead of from a big, consumptive engine. This means not only will it cruise at relatively high speeds, but cruise at lower speeds can be very economical. Company pilots often choose to cruise at 50-55% power and take advantage of the economy available there. At 175 mph, the RV-10 is getting better miles-per-gallon than most of the luxury cars and SUVs it is flying over.

On the other end of the spectrum, generous wing area and big slotted flaps allow the RV-10 to land at virtually any small airport…and if you can land closer to your destination, you can gain a lot of time over “faster” airplanes that must use big paved airports a long way from town. RVs have always enjoyed a reputation for excellent handling qualities.

Pilot workload is very low, because the airplane responds quickly and positively to small control inputs. It is not the least bit “twitchy” and does not require constant attention to maintain heading or altitude. A long trip in the RV-10 can be positively relaxing.

The RV-10 Standard Kit is amazingly accurate and complete. All the aluminum components are formed and prepunched for all the rivet and bolt holes. The “matched-hole” punching technology makes the airframe essentially selfjigging: when all the holes line up, the airframe must be straight.

Those who have built metal airplanes in the past, when all the hole location and drilling was up to the builder, often find themselves giggling uncontrollably while they put the RV-10 parts together.

Most composite components, found in both Standard and QB Kits, are made of pre-preg epoxy fiberglass cured in the mold around a honeycomb core. The result is very strong, light and accurate parts.  The kit is very complete. For example, the only component of the landing gear and brake system not included in the kit is the brake fluid. All welded steel components, like the engine mount, landing gear supports, flap actuator, etc, come powder-coated and ready to install.

To complement such a highly developed airframe kit, a Firewall Forward Kit has been developed. This supplies all components necessary to install the engine and make it run — exhaust system, oil cooler, vibration isolators, cooling baffles, hoses, etc.

For the RV-10, Van’s has developed a new instructional package, combining drawings and step-by-step instructions on the same page. Building the airplane requires a modest array of tools and a comfortable space about the size of a two-car garage.

The RV-10 has averaged one “first flight” every two weeks since the day the first kit was sold. Well over 1000 have been flown.

Many builders describe building and flying an RV as one of the most satisfying things they have ever done.