Gerry Humphreys

Gerry Humphreys is an Irish display pilot and former RAF flyer, best known for his homebuilt Van’s RV-7 EI-HUM — the black-and-white spotted “Flying Cow.” He operates from a farm strip in County Limerick and appears at Irish shows such as Bray, plus fly-ins around the country.

His routines emphasise smooth, graceful aerobatics — loops, aileron rolls, stall turns and barrel rolls — often traced with white display smoke for sky-writing arcs that suit the aircraft’s light, nimble handling.

Type & role. The RV-7 is a two-seat, side-by-side, low-wing sport aircraft supplied in kit form (Experimental/Amateur-Built). The tailwheel RV-7 has a tricycle-gear sibling, the RV-7A.

Construction & performance. All-metal airframe; typical engines 150–215 hp (Lycoming O/IO-320/360/390). Standard fuel is 42 US gal. At an aerobatic gross weight of 1,600 lb, the RV-7/7A meets +6/–3 g aerobatic standards. Red-line (V_ne) is about 210 kt; typical top speed quoted by the kit maker is up to ~217 mph depending on engine/prop.

EI-HUM specifics. “The Flying Cow” is RV-7 c/n 70588-1, built in 2006 and registered in Ireland on 8 Feb 2007. It is powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2A (≈150 hp) driving a fixed-pitch prop, and carries the distinctive cow-spot scheme with a smoke system for displays.

Builder-pilot. Gerry built EI-HUM himself and has become a fixture of Ireland’s relatively small show circuit, regularly appearing at Bray Air Display and fly-ins nationwide.

Signature look. The white-and-black “Flying Cow” livery, plus clean smoke trails, make EI-HUM instantly recognisable in the circuit and in photos.

Background. Before the RV-7, Gerry flew with the RAF; today his display style leans toward precise, flowing figures that show off the RV’s agility rather than Unlimited-class extremes.

• The RV-7 succeeded the RV-6 and kept the side-by-side cockpit while improving fuel capacity and handling.
• At or below 1,600 lb aerobatic gross, the RV-7 meets the FAA’s aerobatic load factors of +6/–3 g.
• Many RV-7s, including EI-HUM, fly with a Lycoming O-320—but the design can accept engines up to an IO-390 (~215 hp).
• Standard tanks hold 42 US gallons, enabling impressive cross-country legs for a kitplane.
• “The Flying Cow” carries a smoke system for sky-tracing display figures.