Van's Aircraft RV-3

American kit aircraft

The Van's RV 3 is a single seat, single engine, low wing kit aircraft sold by Van's Aircraft. Unlike many other aircraft in the RV line, the RV 3 is only available as a tail wheel equipped aircraft, although it is possible that some may have been completed by builders as nose wheel versions. The RV 3 is the genesis design for the rest of the RV series, all which strongly resemble the RV 3. The RV 4 was originally developed as a two seat RV 3.

The architect of the line of Van's aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven, designed the RV 3 in the late 1960s after experience flying the Stits Playboy amateur built aircraft. The RV 3 started out as an attempt to maintain the Playboy's layout and concept but to improve it in every regard. The RV 3 was designed to have light handling, aerobatic capabilities, fast cruise speeds, and short field STOL capabilities. The RV 3 was also designed from the start for serious travel and as such carries 30 US gallons of fuel, giving it a range of about 600 statute miles. The design horsepower is 100–150, typically using a Lycoming O 235 or Lycoming O 320 powerplant. Some builders have fitted RV 3s with more powerful engines, however. The RV 3 uses a NACA 23012 airfoil on a constant chord wing. Construction is semi monocoque of predominantly 2024 T3 aluminum sheet. The wings are built around an aluminum I beam spar with a lighter rear spar. The aircraft has plain flaps operated by a handle. The main landing gear is attached directly to the welded steel engine mount and consists of tapered, sprung steel rods. Construction time for the RV 3 is reported to be 1300 hours for a first time builder.