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Van's Aircraft

April 12, 2024

Van's Aircraft, Inc. is an American kit aircraft manufacturer founded by Richard "Van" VanGrunsven in 1973. The Van's RV series aircraft are all-aluminum, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction. In 2023, over 11,000 Van's aircraft were flying worldwide, one third of the USA's experimental aircraft fleet.[1]

Van's Aircraft, Inc.
IndustryAerospace
Founded1973
FounderRichard VanGrunsven
HeadquartersAurora State Airport, Oregon 045°14′32″N 122°45′57″W / 45.24222°N 122.76583°W / 45.24222; -122.76583,
Aurora, Oregon
,
United States
ProductsKit aircraft
Revenue$52.6 million (2022)
-$3.3 million (2022)
Number of employees
110 (2023)[1]
Websitewww.vansaircraft.com

The Van's Aircraft factory is located at Aurora State Airport, Oregon.[2] The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2023.[3]

History edit

The company was founded by Richard "Van" VanGrunsven in 1973.

In 2013, the company announced it would begin selling assembled RV-12 model aircraft as well on a limited basis.[4]

In December 2017, the company reported that its 10,000th aircraft had flown, an RV-7 built in Martinsburg, West Virginia.[5]

As of November 2019, about 10,600 RV kits had been completed and flown, and thousands more are under construction. Completion rates currently average about 1.5 per day,[6] making the series the most numerous of all homebuilt aircraft.[7][8][2]

After announcing financial difficulties in October 2023, on December 4 2023 Van's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Factors leading to the reorganization included corrosion issues (a "multi million" dollar problem), laser-cutting instead of punched parts (affecting 1800 kits), and kit pricing under the cost of production and shipping.[3][9]

Regulatory status edit

 
Previous company logo, used 1973-2018

RVs are deemed Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States and are accepted under the corresponding category by the aviation authorities in many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. A modified version of the RV-6 was sold to the Nigerian government as a kit-assembled military trainer.

The RV-12iS is available as an experimental light sport aircraft (ELSA) or special light-sport aircraft (SLSA), which allows for commercial use for purposes like rental and flight training.

RV aircraft series edit

 
Formation flight of 40 Van's Aircraft
  • RV-1: single example of a modified Stits SA-3 Playboy built by VanGrunsven in 1965 and modified with a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming engine, larger tail, modified cowling, modified fuselage and a custom metal wing[10]
  • RV-2: wooden flying-wing sailplane prototype that was never completed[11]
  • RV-3: single-seat kit aircraft, aerobatic, debuted in 1972; genesis design for rest of the RV series[11] [12]
  • RV-4: two-seat kit aircraft, tandem seating, aerobatic, bubble canopy[11][13]
  • RV-5: single example of a small metal single-seat aircraft that was originally flown with a half-Volkswagen engine and then with a two-stroke Rotax 447 engine[11]
  • RV-6: two-seat, side-by-side seating aircraft, aerobatic; the most-built model of the RV series and likely the most popular kitplane ever produced[11][14]
  • RV-7: modernized kit with similarity to the RV-6, with longer wingspan and larger rudder, aerobatic; replaced the RV-6 model[11][15]
  • RV-8: two-seat tandem seating, aerobatic aircraft, with larger cockpit and greater overall size than the RV-4[11][16]
  • RV-9: two seat, side-by-side aircraft; non-aerobatic, with larger wing and more docile handling qualities than others in the RV line[11][17]
  • RV-10: largest of the RV fleet with four seats, non-aerobatic, tricycle landing gear only[11][18]
  • RV-11: single-seat motorglider; under development until c. 2012[19]
  • RV-12: two-seat, side-by-side light-sport aircraft,[20] updated to RV-12iS variant in 2017 [21]
  • RV-13: designation not used[22]
  • RV-14: two-seat, side-by-side aerobatic aircraft, considered similar to the RV-7 in design but larger and roomier[23][24]
  • RV-15: future high-wing, back-country capable aircraft[25][26]

Timeline edit

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "DECLARATION OF CLYDE A. HAMSTREET OF HAMSTREET & ASSOCIATES LLC IN SUPPORT OF DEBTOR'S FIRST DAY PLEADINGS" (PDF). s28490.pcdn.co. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Van's Aircraft (2007). . Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "Van's Aircraft Announces Chapter 11 Reorganization". Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes. December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Goldfield, Robert (April 16, 2013). "For plane kit maker, assembly no longer required". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  5. ^ Grady, Mary (December 5, 2017). "Van's Kits Produce 10,000 Airplanes". AVweb. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "Van's Aircraft - History". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  7. ^ Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 77-78, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
  8. ^ Vans Aircraft (August 2010). . Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  9. ^ Cook, Marc (December 6, 2023). "Van's Bankruptcy: How Did They Get Here? - KITPLANES". KITPLANES. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Pew, Glenn (March 27, 2012). "Van's "RV-1" -- The First Of The Breed". AVweb. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Van's Aircraft (2008). . Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
  12. ^ "RV-3". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  13. ^ "RV-4". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "RV-6/6A". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "RV-7/7A". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  16. ^ "RV-8/8A". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  17. ^ "RV-9/9A". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "RV-10". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  19. ^ . Van's Aircraft. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012.
  20. ^ AvWeb Staff (April 2000). "Vans RV-12 Light Sport Aircraft". Retrieved April 11, 2008.
  21. ^ "RV-12iS". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Van's Aircraft and Those Amazing RVs". flyingmag.com. October 3, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  23. ^ Grady, Mary (July 24, 2012). "Van's Introduces RV-14, Up-sized Two-Place". Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  24. ^ "RV-14/14A". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  25. ^ AvWeb Staff (July 26, 2021). "Van's Aircraft teases next design". Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  26. ^ "RV-15". Van's Aircraft. Retrieved July 28, 2021.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Van's Aircraft.
  • Official website

April 12, 2024
aircraft, american, aircraft, manufacturer, founded, richard, vangrunsven, 1973, series, aircraft, aluminum, wing, monoplanes, monocoque, construction, 2023, over, aircraft, were, flying, worldwide, third, experimental, aircraft, fleet, industryaerospacefounde. Van s Aircraft Inc is an American kit aircraft manufacturer founded by Richard Van VanGrunsven in 1973 The Van s RV series aircraft are all aluminum low wing monoplanes of monocoque construction In 2023 over 11 000 Van s aircraft were flying worldwide one third of the USA s experimental aircraft fleet 1 Van s Aircraft Inc IndustryAerospaceFounded1973FounderRichard VanGrunsvenHeadquartersAurora State Airport Oregon 045 14 32 N 122 45 57 W 45 24222 N 122 76583 W 45 24222 122 76583 Aurora Oregon United StatesProductsKit aircraftRevenue 52 6 million 2022 Net income 3 3 million 2022 Number of employees110 2023 1 Websitewww wbr vansaircraft wbr comThe Van s Aircraft factory is located at Aurora State Airport Oregon 2 The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2023 3 Contents 1 History 2 Regulatory status 3 RV aircraft series 4 Timeline 5 Gallery 6 References 7 External linksHistory editThe company was founded by Richard Van VanGrunsven in 1973 In 2013 the company announced it would begin selling assembled RV 12 model aircraft as well on a limited basis 4 In December 2017 the company reported that its 10 000th aircraft had flown an RV 7 built in Martinsburg West Virginia 5 As of November 2019 about 10 600 RV kits had been completed and flown and thousands more are under construction Completion rates currently average about 1 5 per day 6 making the series the most numerous of all homebuilt aircraft 7 8 2 After announcing financial difficulties in October 2023 on December 4 2023 Van s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Factors leading to the reorganization included corrosion issues a multi million dollar problem laser cutting instead of punched parts affecting 1800 kits and kit pricing under the cost of production and shipping 3 9 Regulatory status edit nbsp Previous company logo used 1973 2018RVs are deemed Experimental Amateur Built EAB aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States and are accepted under the corresponding category by the aviation authorities in many other countries including the United Kingdom Canada New Zealand and Australia A modified version of the RV 6 was sold to the Nigerian government as a kit assembled military trainer The RV 12iS is available as an experimental light sport aircraft ELSA or special light sport aircraft SLSA which allows for commercial use for purposes like rental and flight training RV aircraft series edit nbsp Formation flight of 40 Van s AircraftRV 1 single example of a modified Stits SA 3 Playboy built by VanGrunsven in 1965 and modified with a 125 hp 93 kW Lycoming engine larger tail modified cowling modified fuselage and a custom metal wing 10 RV 2 wooden flying wing sailplane prototype that was never completed 11 RV 3 single seat kit aircraft aerobatic debuted in 1972 genesis design for rest of the RV series 11 12 RV 4 two seat kit aircraft tandem seating aerobatic bubble canopy 11 13 RV 5 single example of a small metal single seat aircraft that was originally flown with a half Volkswagen engine and then with a two stroke Rotax 447 engine 11 RV 6 two seat side by side seating aircraft aerobatic the most built model of the RV series and likely the most popular kitplane ever produced 11 14 RV 7 modernized kit with similarity to the RV 6 with longer wingspan and larger rudder aerobatic replaced the RV 6 model 11 15 RV 8 two seat tandem seating aerobatic aircraft with larger cockpit and greater overall size than the RV 4 11 16 RV 9 two seat side by side aircraft non aerobatic with larger wing and more docile handling qualities than others in the RV line 11 17 RV 10 largest of the RV fleet with four seats non aerobatic tricycle landing gear only 11 18 RV 11 single seat motorglider under development until c 2012 19 RV 12 two seat side by side light sport aircraft 20 updated to RV 12iS variant in 2017 21 RV 13 designation not used 22 RV 14 two seat side by side aerobatic aircraft considered similar to the RV 7 in design but larger and roomier 23 24 RV 15 future high wing back country capable aircraft 25 26 Timeline editGallery edit nbsp RV 1 nbsp RV 3 nbsp RV 4 nbsp RV 5 nbsp RV 6 nbsp RV 6A nbsp RV 7 nbsp RV 7A nbsp RV 8 nbsp RV 8A nbsp RV 9A nbsp RV 10 nbsp RV 12 nbsp RV 14A nbsp RV 15References edit a b DECLARATION OF CLYDE A HAMSTREET OF HAMSTREET amp ASSOCIATES LLC IN SUPPORT OF DEBTOR S FIRST DAY PLEADINGS PDF s28490 pcdn co Retrieved December 7 2023 a b Van s Aircraft 2007 Introduction About RV Kitplanes Archived from the original on October 11 2007 Retrieved December 12 2007 a b Van s Aircraft Announces Chapter 11 Reorganization Van s Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes December 4 2023 Retrieved December 4 2023 Goldfield Robert April 16 2013 For plane kit maker assembly no longer required Portland Business Journal Retrieved April 19 2013 Grady Mary December 5 2017 Van s Kits Produce 10 000 Airplanes AVweb Retrieved December 6 2017 Van s Aircraft History Van s Aircraft Retrieved June 16 2013 Kitplanes Staff 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory page 77 78 Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24 Number 12 Belvior Publications Aviation Publishing Group LLC Vans Aircraft August 2010 First Flights Archived from the original on July 24 2012 Retrieved August 26 2010 Cook Marc December 6 2023 Van s Bankruptcy How Did They Get Here KITPLANES KITPLANES Retrieved December 7 2023 Pew Glenn March 27 2012 Van s RV 1 The First Of The Breed AVweb Retrieved March 28 2012 a b c d e f g h i Van s Aircraft 2008 Introduction About RV Kitplanes Archived from the original on March 9 2012 Retrieved September 21 2008 RV 3 Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 4 Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 6 6A Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 7 7A Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 8 8A Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 9 9A Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 10 Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 11 Van s Aircraft Archived from the original on May 4 2012 AvWeb Staff April 2000 Vans RV 12 Light Sport Aircraft Retrieved April 11 2008 RV 12iS Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 Van s Aircraft and Those Amazing RVs flyingmag com October 3 2011 Retrieved April 8 2018 Grady Mary July 24 2012 Van s Introduces RV 14 Up sized Two Place Retrieved July 25 2012 RV 14 14A Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 AvWeb Staff July 26 2021 Van s Aircraft teases next design Retrieved July 28 2021 RV 15 Van s Aircraft Retrieved July 28 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Van s Aircraft Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Van 27s Aircraft amp oldid 1215898527, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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