PlaneFox tracks 1 Vans RV-3 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Vans RV-3 flies about 520 nm, roughly 963 km, which is about 3 h 4 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Vans RV-3 costs about EUR 1,402 a month to run, or about EUR 147 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Vans RV-3 is a single-seat, low-wing experimental amateur-built sport aircraft designed by Richard VanGrunsven and sold in kit form by Van’s Aircraft. The prototype first flew in 1971, and kit deliveries began in the early 1970s. Unlike the later two-seat RV models, the RV-3 is a compact solo aircraft focused on responsive handling, efficient cross-country speed, and aerobatic capability within its approved limits. Its importance comes from being the original RV design: the aircraft that established the handling formula and construction approach used throughout the Van’s Aircraft family.
Performance varies significantly with engine, propeller, build quality, and weight, because each RV-3 is individually built. Most examples use Lycoming four-cylinder engines in the 100 to 160 hp range, commonly from the O-235 or O-320 families. Typical cruise speeds are often in the 140 to 170 knot range, with fixed-pitch or constant-speed propeller choice making a noticeable difference. Published RV-3B figures include a maximum gross weight of 1,100 lb and a service ceiling around 21,000 feet. Practical range is usually a few hundred nautical miles with reserves, depending on fuel capacity and power setting. Useful load is modest by design and should be evaluated aircraft by aircraft from the current weight-and-balance data.
The RV-3 has one seat under a bubble canopy, with a compact cockpit and limited baggage capacity. Cabin comfort depends heavily on the individual build, seat cushions, rudder-pedal position, ventilation, canopy fit, and noise insulation. There is no factory-standard avionics suite comparable to Garmin Perspective or a certified G1000 installation. Buyers will find anything from simple VFR analog panels to modern experimental glass panels using systems such as Garmin G3X, Dynon SkyView, Advanced Flight Systems, or MGL, often paired with ADS-B, a transponder, intercom, and a basic nav/comm radio.
On the used market, the Vans RV-3 is a niche aircraft for pilots who want a solo, hands-on sport airplane rather than a traveler with passenger utility. Important inspection points include builder workmanship, documentation, weight-and-balance records, engine and propeller history, fuel system details, landing-gear condition, corrosion protection, canopy condition, and evidence of aerobatic use. Early RV-3 airframes require careful attention to wing spar configuration and compliance with Van’s Aircraft service information; RV-3B examples incorporate the later redesigned wing structure. Common upgrades include modern experimental avionics, improved engine instrumentation, lightweight interiors, updated electrical systems, and propeller changes. Values generally sit below comparable two-seat RV models, but well-built, well-documented RV-3B aircraft with desirable engines and clean maintenance histories command stronger interest.