Mike Ward's Van's RV 7

Mike Ward of Toronto takes his RV-7 out for a leisurely flight between Burlington (CZBA) and Guelph (CNC4) airports (Southern Ontario, Canada). Distance of 19 miles, flight time approx. 6 minutes.

Aircraft is a Van's RV-7, built 2007 (quickbuild), engine is Aerosport IO-360 (180hp) w Lightspeed mags, Whirlwind constant speed prop with IFR panel (Dynon D-10 w HSI, Garmin GX-50, Garmin MX-20, Garmin SL-30, Garmin GTX-330 mode S with dual axis Trutrak Flight plan slavable autopilot).

The race number "03" on the side of the aircraft holds 3 meanings: the build took 3 people, approx. 3 years to build (although 95% was built by Sean Fleming at Kitplane builders, a Toronto based AME - www.kitplanebuilders.com). The other two builders were Mike Ward (aircraft owner) and Sean's brother, Paul Fleming. Lastly, 3 is considered a lucky number in most cultures, it was also considered so by Luftwaffe pilots during WW2.

The tail call sign (GSMC) was chosen to represent Mikes wife and daughter (Sydney, Mike , Catherine - hence "SMC"). The "G" is transport Canada designated. At the top of the tail there is an Australian flag on one side, and a Canadian on the other (Mike is Australian born, Catherine and Sydney are Canadian).

Design, colour scheme and decals etc. was designed by Mike Ward, painting work was done by Aircraft Restoration at Oshawa airport, Ontario.

Like all Van's aircraft it is an absolute pleasure to fly and very comfortable (2 seater side-by-side, Mike is 6'4 with plenty of leg room spare). It cruises at around 190mph (306kph), burns approx. 9 gallons per hour. Stalls at around 55mph and with a wing load of +6/-3 G's is fully aerobatic capable.

This video was filmed with the Gopro HD camera and suction mount.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Mike Ward's Van's RV 7
• RV-7
• RV7
• Van's
• Vans
• Aircraft
• Aerobatics
• Flying
• Kit
• Quickbuild
• Aviation
• Aerosport

[mikedanielward]

Thanks. Full tanks is about 4.5 hours... Roughly 1000 miles.

[mikedanielward]

RV's are registered as Experimental in Canada, not ultralight.

The 7's are rated for sports aerobatics (+6/-3) and mine is fitted with an IFR panel. She ain't no ultralight! ;)

You'll have an easy time deciding between a 152, zodiac or RV if you get a chance to fly in an RV. Nothing in this category beats them in my opinion.

All the best with your decision.

[Galilee1986]

NIce plane ! How far can you go with a full tank ?

[LittleBuddyX]

Those are very nice planes indeed. I'm torn between buying a certified aircraft like a Cessna 152 or building an RV or a Zenair Zodiac. Is your RV registered as an Advanced Ultralite? I didn't see Vans aircraft listed on Transport Canada's website as being eligible.

[10right]

Nice video, great aircraft (I love my RV-7), congratulations.

[TheGregoryProject]

AMAZING + BEAUTIFUL !

[goalieman2929]

Hey Mike, I hope your flying to guelph to take me out on that this year.