TYPE: Tandem-seat kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: First flight of prototype 21 August 1979. Plans and kits available to homebuilders.
CURRENT VERSIONS: RV-4: As described.
CUSTOMERS: Over 4,600 sets of plans and kits sold, with about 1,800 aircraft under construction and 1,087 RV-4s flying by 9 October 2003.
COSTS: Kit: US$13,115 (2003). Information pack: US$8.
DESIGN FEATURES: Cantilever low-wing monoplane with constant-speed, low aspect ratio wings, tapered horizontal tail surfaces and sweptback fin.
Wing section Van's Aircraft 135; dihedral 3° 30'; incidence 1°.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Horn-balanced elevators; Frise ailerons; plain flaps. No tabs.
STRUCTURE: Generally of light alloy. I-beam main wing spar and pressed ribs; moulded glass fibre wingtips and engine cowling.
LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed cantilever tapered steel spring main gear struts. Glass fibre speed fairings on mainwheels, tyre size 5.00-5; steerable tailwheel, tyre size 6 in.
POWER PLANT: One 112 kW (150 hp) Textron Lycoming O-320-E1F flat-four engine; two-blade fixed-pitch propeller. Options for engine up to 134 kW (180 hp). Fuel capacity 121 litres (32.0 US gallons; 26.6 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Two persons in tandem under starboard-hinged canopy. Baggage compartments forward of instrument panel and aft of rear seat.