This 2008 Van’s RV-7A Is a Cross-Country-Capable ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Skip the 2,000-hour build time with an aerobatic modern traveler.

FLYING Staff

Wednesday, May 06, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

2008 Vans RV-7-A [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

The article highlights a 2008 Van's RV-7A as "Today's Top Pick," praised for its versatile design that expertly combines high-speed cross-country travel with aerobatic agility.
This specific experimental aircraft offers a unique opportunity to acquire a high-specification, meticulously maintained plane without the typical decade-long build time.
It features a legendary Mattituck TMX IO-360 engine with electronic ignition, a recently overhauled constant-speed propeller, and a 2020-upgraded panel with a Bendix/King digital autopilot, all for $139,000 and ready to fly with a fresh annual inspection.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2008 Van’s RV-7A.

In the experimental world, there is the involuntary expression a pilot wears after experiencing the light, sensitive handling of a Van’s aircraft. While many kitplanes are specialized for either speed or sport, the RV-7A was engineered for the pilot who wants to do it all: fly 500-mile cross-country legs at 160-plus knots, and then carve through a series of loops and rolls over the home field.

Located in Prosser, Washington, this particular 2008 RV-7A offers a rare opportunity to bypass the decade-long garage project and step directly into a fully realized, high-specification machine. With 1,521 hours on the airframe since new and a documented history of being hangared and meticulously maintained, it represents a suitable entry into the world’s most popular homebuilt family.

The heart of this aircraft is a Teledyne Mattituck TMX IO-360. For those in the know, Mattituck’s engines were legendary for their precision assembly and reliability before the shop’s closure.

This fuel-injected powerplant is further modernized with a Lightspeed electronic ignition system, ensuring easier starts and better fuel economy than traditional magnetos. Pushing that power is a Hartzell two-blade constant-speed propeller, which was overhauled just 70 hours ago in early 2025—effectively giving the next owner a brand-new start for the aircraft.

While the RV-7A is a joy to hand-fly, this example is also a serious cross-country tool. The panel was upgraded in 2020 with a Bendix/King Aerocruze 100 digital autopilot. Integrated with TruTrak servos and a Grand Rapids Technologies (GRT) PFD, the system provides a level of stability and fatigue reduction that makes long trips through busy airspace much more manageable.

2008 Vans RV-7-A [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

With a 713-pound useful load and a fresh annual inspection completed in January 2026, this RV-7A is ready for its next mission immediately. It strikes that elusive balance between a rugged, all-metal aerobatic trainer and a refined, modern traveler.

Listed at $139,000, this RV-7A is a testament to the philosophy that has made Van’s Aircraft a household name in general aviation.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.