RV Information on the Web

Pages of links aren't really as relevant as webmasters would have you believe. After all, you have access to Google just as easily as they do. However, putting a page of links on a website is something of a tradition, and in this day and age we have so few traditions left that it would be a shame to lose this one too.

However, this is here for more than just tradition - it's a (hopefully) good place to point someone if they want to learn more about RVs, and it's a good reference for me when I'm away from my computer and can't remember the URL for something specific. All this really consists of is my bookmark file with a bunch of editorial comments.

And now, the list:

  • Van's Aircraft - these guys get their own section on this page because, well, they manufacture the airplane kit.

  • RV FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about RV construction, among other things.

  • RV Builders - sites just like this one, except most of them are farther along. Most of the ones listed here are RV-7s and RV-7As, because that's what I'm building.
    • Sam Buchanan's 399SB - Sam's rather well known in the RV community for this site, which was one of the first of its kind. Well, at least I think it was. I haven't been around long enough to verify that.
    • Dan's RV-7 Project - this seems to be the definitive RV site as far as how extensive the information is. Lots and lots of photographs.
    • Scott's RV-7A QB - QB going together in the Atlanta area. Scott's more or less at the same point that I am.
    • Brian Meyette's RV-7A - Brian's building a QB, so this site is especially helpful.
    • Carl Morgan's RV-7A - Quickbuild kit being built in New Zealand.
    • Doug and Linda's RV-7A - this site is for an airplane that's finished.
    • Rick and Lori's RV-7A - good documentation and lots of pictures. I like this site.
    • Dave's RV-7 log - Dave isn't done yet so his website is similar to this one -- you get to watch it in progress.
    • Bobby Hester's RV Site - one of the first RV sites I stumbled across. I got to meet Bobby at the Aeroelectric Workshop in Nashville (May 2004).
    • W. Tondu's RV-7 - QB Wings, Standard Build fuse. California RV-7A. This is gonna be a nice plane, lots of goodies in the panel.
    • Phil's RV-7 Project
    • Dan & Linda's RV-7A Project - note the nice instrument panel, the design of which (to an extent) I'm going to attempt to emulate. I think that these guys have either attended or have the book from an Aeroelectric Seminar.
    • Tracy's RV-7A project - good site, and good documentation of "oops" moments.
    • Robert Paisley's RV-7 - Robert was one of the first people (maybe the first person ever, I'm not sure) to complete a Eggenfellner Subaru (RV slang for this is "Egg Soob") engine in an RV-7.
    • Jerry Thorne's RV-9A Project - nicely documented, and it's terrific to see that a side-by-side RV can be built in a 1-car garage. I'm using a 2-car garage, but it would be nice to keep a car in it when we're not actively working on the plane.
    • Bowen Aero - tips from building an RV-8. I know, it's an RV-8, but there are lots of good tips here.
    • RV-3 Works - Randy Lervold's site. I know, I know, it's an RV-3, but this is a useful site and I don't know too many folks with higher-number RVs that aren't secretly jealous of what Randy's doing here.
    • Mark Phillip's PossomWorks - RV-6A with a few unique features, including retractable steps and a custom-built plenum.


  • RV Groups - these are the ones that are close to where I am. If you are not in North Alabama, this won't be really interesting to you except to hint that there may be similar groups in your area.
    • Tennesee Valley RV Builder's Group - local group has an impressive record of keeping their focus on building airplanes.
    • Team RV - group out of Atlanta, GA -- known for formation flying in RVs.
    • Van's Air Force - more of a website gathering than a physical group at a real location. This is the best online source of RV news and stuff that I've found so far. There's a corresponding Yahoo! group with the same name.
    • Van's Air Force - Home Wing - the builders group in Northwest Oregon/Southwest Washington area.


  • RV Avionics, Airplane Parts, Aftermarket Parts - that's pretty self-explanatory.
    • Aircraft Spruce - for all things that have to do with airplane parts. Yup, everything.
    • Affordable Panels - a much better (and slightly more expensive) panel for the RV -- it's modular!
    • Aircraft Extras - lots of neat gadgets, including a carved scale model of your RV that would look nice sitting on a desk.
    • RV Center Consoles - Bryan Fillman's combination builder site and vendor site - he's now selling the RV center consoles that he put in his airplane.
    • Skybolt Camlocks - cowling latches for RVs.
    • Dynon Avionics - a whole pile of information in one part. These pretty much just rock.
    • Approach Systems - avionics, ready-built cables, and all-encompassing solutions to wiring that look pretty neat.
    • GeoBeck, Inc. - misc. RV parts and videos for additional construction help. These guys carry (among other things) a polished aluminum prop spinner that replaces the fiberglass one from Van's.
    • Stark Avionics - this seems to be widely regarded by folks in the online RV community as the best place to get avionics. Good prices.
    • Tropic Aero - avionics reseller
    • Gulf Coast Avionics - avionics reseller
    • Rocky Mountain Avionics - these guys make a neat instrument that should replace your Vertical Speed Indicator.
    • Aircraft Extras - more RV mods, including a neat solution to the tip up/slider canopy debate.
    • Experimental Air - air vents, throttle brackets, and instrument panels.
    • Attaway Air - upgrades to canopy latches, wheel pant brackets, stick grips, etc.
    • Farings-etc.com - custom fairings for your RV.
    • Chief Aircraft - a rather odd assortment of stuff - placards and labels for things on an experimental aircraft to designing the panel for you. I like their panel design, though.
    • Aero Strategies Unlimited - aftermarket RV parts including fiberglass components, lights, etc.
    • Lightspeed Aviation - a good ANR headset is a necessity when flying an RV - they're not quiet airplanes, at least from the inside. Lightspeed makes ANR headsets that work well, even in a loud airplane like an RV. I've got a 20-3G and couldn't be happier with it.
    • StepUp Aviation - like steps but not the appearance and/or drag? These guys make retractable RV steps.
    • EliteEtc.com - necessary things like oil filters, oil, etc. Not exciting but very important.
    • Airtime Titanium Ti-downs - these guys make what is apparently the best Ti-downs for RVs. Well, not specifically for RVs. I suppose they would also work on other airplanes too.


  • Engines that will fit in your RV - these are important as without them the airplane has very little motivation to move.
    • Aero Sport Power - Canadian company that makes Lycoming-like engines. I'm probably going to buy an engine from these people.
    • Mattituck Engines - apparently a good place to buy overhauled Lycomings.
    • Subaru Aircraft - even though the debate between Lycoming traditionalists and automobile engine fans manages to stay pretty feisty in RV circles, everyone seems to agree that if you're going to use an auto engine for your aircraft, there is no better way to do it than to talk to Jean Eggenfellner and eventually give him a bunch of money.
    • Don George Aircraft - airplane engines and parts. Also they do overhauls.


  • Learning About RVs - if you want help learning how to build or fly your airplane project.
    • Alexander Technical Center - help building the tail, wings, or (if you really have money to burn) you can do the whole thing there.
    • EAA Sportair Workshops - a number of useful workshops, one of which is specific to RVs. Attending their "What's Involved in Kitbuilding?" class is extremely helpful if you're trying to decide if you want to build an airplane.
    • Aeroelectric Workshops - how to wire all the electric stuff on your RV safely.
    • Kitplanes Books - for those who want to educate themselves.
    • RV Transition Training - learn how to fly it before you climb in it and inadvertantly do something dumb.


  • RV-related Yahoo! Groups - not a complete list.
    • RV Quickbuild - smaller unmoderated group that discusses issues related to all the QB kits.
    • RV7 and RV7A - moderated group that discusses issues related to building the RV7 and RV7A.
    • TVRVBG - mailing list for local (North Alabama) RV stuff. This probably will be most useful if you're in North Alabama.
    • Subaru Aircaft - Yahoo! group that corresponds to Jean Eggenfellner's Subaru engines.
    • Van's Air Force - moderated group for all things RV. This one is huge.


  • RV Propellers - sort of self-explanatory
    • Sensenich Propeller - fixed-pitch aluminum propellers for (among other things) RVs. This is what I am planning to put on my RV when I get to that point.
    • MT Propeller - German company that makes fiberglass constant-speed propellers. Very expensive, but these seem to be the choice of many Subaru builders.
    • Hartzell Props - constant-speed metal propellers.


  • Misc. Links - they don't fall into the above categories but they really should be here somewhere.
    • RV Yeller Pages - if this isn't a complete list of all RV vendors, it's at least the most complete list that exists.
    • Aircraft Registration Inquiry - you'll need a registration number for your RV. Here's where you can see if what you want is still avaliable.
    • The FAA's Amateur Built Aircraft Reference - FAA resources and information about the hoops that you have to jump through to get an experimental aircraft certified by the FAA.
    • Experimental Aircraft Association - if you are building an airplane, you should be a member here.
    • Aircraft Owner's and Pilot's Association - if you are building an RV, you'll probably eventually fall into both of these categories.
    • Ask good questions! - although this was written more for people who ask questions about computers, if you're going to visit Yahoo! groups or just talk to people, for heaven's sake learn how to ask good questions. You'll save everyone lots of embarassment.

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