Vans RV-7 vs Glasair III
The RV-7 and Glasair (I/II/III) compare the most-supported sport kit against the sleek composite Glasair retractables.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $140,000
- Range
- $111,750–$248,048
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 4
- Source marketplaces
- 8
- Model years available
- 2005–2025
- For sale now
- 5
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 3
- Source marketplaces
- 3
- Model years available
- 1977–2002
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Vans RV-7 | Glasair III |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 5 | 2 |
| Serious | 0 | 1 |
| Fatal | 3 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 4 | 1 |
| % Fatal | 60% | 50% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Vans RV-7 | Glasair III |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $111,750 – $248,048 | $215,500 – $336,100 |
| Category | Experimental | Experimental |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 1 |
| Cruise Speed | 173 kts (320 km/h) | 190 kts (352 km/h) |
| Range | 673 nm (1,246 km) | 1,100 nm (2,037 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,800 lbs (816 kg) | 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 2 x Piston |
Which Should You Buy: Vans RV-7 or Glasair III?
Bottom line: Choose the RV-7 for the huge Van's support/community, easy build and great all-round sport performance; choose a Glasair for composite construction and (on the III) higher top speed. RV-7 = support/ all-round; Glasair = composite/speed. ================================================================ # Van's RV-12 — LSA kit ================================================================
Pick the RV-7 if…
- Budget matters — from $111,750 vs $215,500, you save ~$103,750.
- More seats — 2 vs 1.
- Newer design — production from 2001 vs 1994.
- More inventory — 11 listings vs 2.
Pick the III if…
- Faster cruise — 190 kts vs 173 kts.
- Longer range — 1100 nm vs 673 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.