RV-3

The RV‑3 is a single‑seat, low‑wing sport aircraft designed by aircraft engineer Richard VanGrunsven and produced by Van’s Aircraft. First flown in 1972, the RV‑3 marked the beginning of the highly successful RV series, a line of kit‑built airplanes that pioneered the modern home‑building movement. Its sleek, all‑metal airframe, built from aluminum sheets, provides a clean aerodynamic profile and contributes to a high power‑to‑weight ratio. The design typically accommodates a Lycoming O‑320 or O‑360 engine producing 150–180 hp, delivering cruise speeds around 200 kt and a climb rate exceeding 2,500 ft/min. The aircraft features a spacious cockpit with excellent visibility, a simple, tricycle or conventional landing gear option, and responsive handling that makes it popular with both aerobatic pilots and cross‑country enthusiasts. The RV‑3’s ease of construction—often completed in 1,500–2,000 hours—combined with its performance has cemented its reputation as a benchmark for sport aircraft. Its legacy endures as the progenitor of the RV line, influencing kit‑plane design standards and fostering a vibrant community of builders and flyers worldwide. Over the decades more than 2,000 RV‑3 kits have been sold, and many are still flying in clubs and airshows, showcasing the design’s timeless appeal and its contribution to the evolution of amateur‑built aviation.

Van's Aircraft

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification