Van's RV-8
The Van’s RV-8 is a tandem-seat kit aircraft designed to evoke the feel of a small fighter while remaining practical for private pilots. Its low wing, bubble canopy, and tailwheel gear give it an unmistakably sporty profile. The RV-8 is popular with aerobatic pilots and cross-country builders alike.

Did you know?
The RV-8 pairs tandem seating with a bubble canopy and tailwheel gear for a small-fighter look among Van's kit aircraft.
Specifications
| Length | 6.3 m (21 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Height | 1.7 m (5 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 1 |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.9 t |
| Range | 700 NM (1,296 km) |
| Maximum speed | 175 kt (324 km/h) |
| Stall speed | 50 kt (93 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 13,000 ft (3,962 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,650 ft/min (8.4 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 175 m (574 ft) |
| Landing distance | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 155 l |
| Engines | 1x Lycoming IO-360 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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