Popular Van’s RV-8 to Commemorate 30 Years of Flight

Company will celebrate its all-aluminum homebuilt aircraft at EAA AirVenture.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 01:14 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The Van's RV-8 with the P-51 Mustang-esque tail is a favorite in the experimental community. [Courtesy: Van's Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

Van's RV aircraft, particularly the RV-8, are highly popular experimental homebuilt aircraft, recognized for their P-51 Mustang-esque design and all-aluminum construction.
The Van's RV-8, released in 1995 and celebrating its 30th anniversary, is a refinement of previous tandem-seating models designed for enhanced pilot comfort, optimal views, and suitability for aerobatics.
Van's aircraft are exceptionally prevalent in the experimental community, making up an estimated one-third of all experimental aircraft, with their popularity attributed to continuous design refinement across models.

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If you have the opportunity to visit EAA AirVenture (July 21-27), make sure to head to the experimental aircraft display and marvel at the multiple rows of Van’s RV aircraft.

The low-wing, all-aluminum homebuilt aircraft with the P-51 Mustang-esque tail are favorites in the experimental community. One of the most popular versions, the Van’s RV-8, celebrates 30 years of flight this year.