While the world of LSAs is diverse enough that the trials of Van’s Aircraft, which put itself into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late last year, aren’t quite the foundational matters they are among the homebuilt crowd, the fact that Van’s is represented with the popular RV-12 and companies that support it are also part of the LSA ecosystem suggests more than a little spillover. In the background, Van’s has been working hard to reset its business and emerge from Chapter 11. And on May 15 the company received good news in the form of an Oregon judge approving the company’s reorganization plan. While it seemed unlikely, there was always the possibility that the court would reject or modify the company’s proposal. In the proposal, Van’s has agreed to repay unsecured creditors 55% of the money they’re owed over three years on top of an “immediate” repayment of $3350 for those in the unsecured creditor class.
Van's Aircraft, Inc.
Website: http://www.vansaircraft.com
Email: info@vansaircraft.com
Phone: (503) 678-6545
Aurora, OR 97002 - USAAero Showcase Approaching — Tecnam Technical Partnerships — Van’s “Serious” Announcement
Aero Showcase November 3-4, 2023
First up is some fun news to complete a vigorous year. In their second event, Aero Showcase is hosting a flock of airplanes at one of Florida's most vibrant recreational aviation airports. Partners Alex Rolinski and Doma Andreka return for the second annual of their own event, which follows on the heels of the DeLand Showcase that ran several years, all of which grew out of the Sebring LSA Expo.Tecnam Partnership
The partners at Aero Affinity have been busy, in fact moving in multiple directions at once. While they plan to start building a new hangar facility at the DeLand airport later this year, the enterprise has signed a new agreement with Tecnam, arguably the world's largest manufacturer of light aircraft. Formed in 1948, Tecnam is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia.photo by Philip Whitemam courtesy Tecnam
Alex Rolinski (L) and Doma Andreka are flanked by Pasquale family leaders, Paolo (L) and Giovanni. Tecnam is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year after founding by the Pasquale brothers in 1948.
Founding brother Luigi Pascale poses in front of the Tecnam Twin, one of his many designs. A tribute to famous designer.
Van's Aircraft Difficulties
As last week ended, Van's Aircraft, producer of the world's most successful line of kit aircraft — and manufacturer of the LSA-compliant RV-12 — shared some "difficult information."The newest Van's is the RV-15, quite a departure from earlier models. Article here.
Direct from the Boss — The very best is for you to listen to the boss himself explain the situation in the clear and concise manner for which he is known (video below; 3 minutes). Dick VanGrunsven, founder of Van's Aircraft, stepped up with his wife to provide additional funds to put the world's largest kit aircraft maker onto a sounder footing. https://youtu.be/3Qsfw6pmHe4?si=f4_ArDJVYDxZR0Ob
In this post, we’ll look at three news items affecting the affordable aviation community. This article touches on the last LSA event of the season plus two market leaders, one from the US and one international, each with significant news. Aero Showcase November 3-4, 2023 First up is some fun news to complete a vigorous year. In their second event, Aero Showcase is hosting a flock of airplanes at one of Florida’s most vibrant recreational aviation airports. Partners Alex Rolinski and Doma Andreka return for the second annual of their own event, which follows on the heels of the DeLand Showcase that ran several years, all of which grew out of the Sebring LSA Expo. While the DeLand event is still growing compared to those earlier events, it enjoys a beautiful new facility and will present a good selection of airplanes. When I asked attendees at last year’s first Aero Showcase, most thought the organizers did credibly well.
6 Mosaic High Wing Light-Sport Aircraft — FAA’s Coming Rule Will Create “mLSA” Sector
Here Come the High Wingers
Interested pilots saw recent coverage of Van's progress on their high wing RV-15. As I reported earlier about RV-15, Van's Aircraft personnel actively work on ASTM standards. This gives their engineers details about what is likely under Mosaic. Everyone is guessing, but informed guesses are better than mere opinions.6 New High Wings
More About RV-15 from Flying Magazine
A detailed article from our friends at Flying Magazine provides lots more info on Van's new RV-15 high wing. Those keen to know more about RV-15 are encouraged to read Jason McDowell's article. Pilots may believe Mosaic appears a long way off. Indeed, I estimate the rule can't go live before early 2025. In the meantime, as FAA deliberates and as ASTMers create fresh standards, the airframers will keep refining their proposed aircraft. Stay tuned!ARTICLE LINKS:
- Article on Mosaic, referring to many attendee questions
- Video on Mosaic, from Midwest LSA Expo September 2022 (still very relevant)
- ASTM standards-writing committee (F37 for LSA) — You can join and help!
- Links to all featured companies are available via links at end of article (see "Filed Under")
Darkest before dawn? I hear growing concern about FAA’s new Mosaic regulation and what it will or won’t do. An increasing number of comments I hear are variations of these words — “FAA is never going to get this done, and if they do, it will be a crappy rule.” Why so glum? Maybe pilots are frustrated because FAA has delayed the release of Mosaic. This also happened almost 20 years ago with the Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft regulation. SP/LSA was anticipated for more than three years after the first announcement. However, Mosaic is coming and this time we know more about it than most regulations. Why? Because FAA must involve ASTM committee members along the way. (More on this? See at end.*) Earlier FAA rule writers did not reveal their work as broadly. Yet FAA is sufficiently pleased with industry consensus standards, ASTM’s work, that they will use it on the next generation of GA aircraft (think: Cessna, Cirrus, etc.).
2022 In Review — How Did LSA and Sport Pilot Kit Aircraft Fare During a Turbulent Year?
Taking off in a new year, some things remain the same. Zenith is still the clear market leader, but here's some nuances…
Data source: FAA registration database current through the end of 2022 — graciously and expertly provided by Steve Beste. Category explanations are provided below.
Let's Unpack the Numbers
I am using a different approach this year, partly to give added perspective given the challenging start to the 2020s. You can get so much detail on our Tableau Public market share data website — with an enormous THANKS! to Steve Beste for his faithful, timely, and precise work to present this info — that I felt it useful to summarize the results from my point of view.Combining bright colors with beautifully-machined hardware, this "train" of eight Revo models from Evolution Trikes is certain to turn heads.
- Combined Results, all categories, including fully-built, kit-built, factory-built kits (ELSA), and others, even portraying how FAA's 1990s-era Primary Category touches this segment.
- SLSA and ELSA are presented as a group because all must start out identical to the SLSA model first accepted by FAA. After an ELSA owner takes delivery, that person can make changes without factory approval but then loses the chance to offer compensated flight instruction or rental of their aircraft.
- SLSA-only covering only ready-to-fly, separated from ELSA. SLSA can be used for compensated operations like flight instruction and rental.
- EAB and ELSA are shown as a group because in both cases the owner can alter and maintain the aircraft.
- EAB-only separates the ELSA out of the strictly homebuilt segment.
- ELSA are also shown separately as they can become quite different from the SLSA as which they began life. An owner can change avionics, interiors, add equipment, or even change the engine on an ELSA.
- Two remaining, smaller categories include Experimental Exhibition category, used mostly by Pipistrel for its motorglider models, and the Primary Category that presently counts only AutoGyro. Models that pursued Primary Category back in the 1990s (example: Quicksilver GT500) have not continued with that approach.
RV-12 photo from Van's Aircraft RV-12 website. Here's my pilot report on RV-12.
Icon Aircraft A5; recent report.
Rans’ popular S-21 Outbound sits high on big tundra tires. (Zenith's CH-750 Super Duty is seen at the top of the page.)
Flight school video series stars John and Martha King get their powered parachute ratings.
* I used brand names and model names interchangeably in this article choosing the most common term to identify the subject. If you want more detail, type one or more words into our blue search bar at the top of the page to find any of the thousands of aircraft on this website.
The year started with hope. As 2022 arrived, America and most countries (China excepted) were emerging from two years of difficult lockdowns and Covid. The good news was that a flood of money from the U.S. government had buoyed the stock market and I’ve long observed that in a rising equities market, LSA and SP kit aircraft sell well. No one thinks this is because anyone sells stock to buy a Light-Sport Aircraft. Rather, it’s something economists call the “wealth effect,” where rising asset values give stockholders confidence that good times are here and they can buy an airplane to have fun. Then… Russia invaded Ukraine and global markets trembled. Despite a year of war, of plunging stock markets and sky-high energy prices, of protests and riots in multiple countries, plus on-going supply chain strains and lingering Covid fears, the light aircraft nonetheless grew by a very healthy 18%, after rising 10% in 2021.
RV-15 High Wing Debuts to Crowds at Oshkosh 2022; Does Van’s Know Something You Don’t?
New, BIG Van's RV
I took one glance at this aircraft and decided it was designed with a view of four seat capability. Specs confirm that stating "2+2" and a look inside (photo) shows the large interior volume. Certainly, this new entry can certainly carry a lot of camping, fishing, hiking, or other gear. You can even take your bicycle with you.Taildragger Only?
Expect more development despite the well-finished look of the RV-15 prototype. One such example involves Van's Aircraft's use of the letter "A." In the world of Van's, tagging this letter to back of one of the model numbers means it is a tricycle-gear airplane.LINKS:
Is it an LSA or is it not an LSA? Is that the question? When Van’s broke the news that their latest RV-15 model was a high wing, plenty of pilots snapped to attention. This company has produced one winner after another; here is their latest. Its bare aluminum glistened in bright sunlight and drew crowds through every day of Oshkosh 2022. Will the model join the long line of distinguished RV models as a kit-built aircraft or could the company’s first-ever high wing signify something else. After all, Van’s did bring in-house full manufacturing of their successful RV-12 LSA. Does Van’s know something you don’t know? Oh, very probably they know far more than you know but the question digs at who knows what FAA is doing. Here’s one company that may have a better handle on that than most others. Van’s president Rian Johnson is the head of the ASTM F37 committee that is working closely with the FAA to formulate standards that will be used when the new breed of LSA come on the market, which I now predict will happen in 2025.
What I’m Flying — Pilot Report on Van’s RV-12
Flying the RV-12
With several dozen hours in an RV-12 I've come to more fully understand why so many pilots are enthusiastic about their RV, the majority of which are not -12s, yet the whole Van's Aircraft line (RV-3 through RV-14) share common characteristics. Among those are sprightly performance and simply marvelous handling.A wing step is partially shown at lower left. You can step down onto the floor before sitting.
The RV series of several models from Van's Aircraft use a similar all-metal construction.
RV-12 captured flying over Sebring Airport during the Expo by extraordinarily talented professional photographer, Jim Koepnick.
Over the years, curious pilots have asked me what aircraft I fly. I’ve had the pleasure to evaluate a great many models; the number crossed 400 a couple years back. My usual quip is that this experience makes me a pilot of many and a master of none. I usually add that anyone with a good number of hours in their own airplane knows far more about it than I do. However, I have gotten to fly a small number of airplanes for a higher number of hours. The most recent such experience is with a Van’s RV-12, because a neighbor of mine at my home airport allows me to enjoy his airplane. It’s a nice arrangement that I value highly; thanks, Joe! I usually avoid identifying what I’m flying for a couple reasons. First, I don’t own a Light-Sport Aircraft because that can get uncomfortable in an industry where I fly one after another to report on them.
What’s Happening in Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot Kits? Here’s Our 3Q19 Update.
2019 Is a Good Year (so far)
We're only three quarters through the year but extrapolating from the first three quarters and assuming a steady pace (which is not a guarantee, of course), we see that all of 2019 should result in 724 new aircraft registrations in the light aircraft sector defined (by us) as Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot kit-built aircraft. This is up more than 10% over 2018, which was up over 2017. The industry is having a good year and more pilots are flying these aircraft. One caveat in this positive result is that the fourth quarter of the year is typically slower with winter in the north and plenty of non-flying holiday activities drawing interest.Breaking Good
First, let's look at two broad categories: First is a grouping of all Light-Sport Aircraft — both Special (fully built) and Experimental (different from Experimental Amateur Built) — and, secondly, a defined flock of Sport Pilot kit-built aircraft*.Diving Deeper
Steve made a few other worthwhile observations. Among the increasingly active gyroplane community, "The low-cost Tango is coming on strong. It used to come with a Rotax 582 but their website says it now has a Yamaha FI engine. 4-stroke, 3-cylinder, fuel-injected, 1055cc, 130 horsepower engine." AutoGyro, Magni, and U.S.-based SilverLight lead the among gyroplanes but Tango's appearance suggests the market is open to newcomers, especially when they have good pricing.Fixed Wingers
Steve is a trike owner and pilot. I also enjoy these "alternative" LSA (trikes, powered parachutes, and gyroplanes). I have enjoyed flying several models of each of these types and find much to love about them …significantly, they can be less expensive than almost any fixed wing aircraft. Are you unsure about "alternative" aircraft? You know the line: "If you haven't tried it, don't knock it."A Quarter to Go
* "SP Kits" means Sport Pilot kit-built aircraft. Going deeper, "SP Kits" refer to amateur-built aircraft that can be flown by a pilot possessing a Sport Pilot certificate or exercising the privileges of Sport Pilot (meaning, for one, no aviation medical is required) while holding a Private Pilot certificate or higher. Since Sport Pilot, as a form of pilot license, only arrived in late 2004, we count all applicable kit-built aircraft that can be flown by a Sport Pilot. Although some of the same aircraft existed before January 1, 2005, we omit them as it cannot be said those older aircraft could be flown by someone with a Sport Pilot certificate. This also evenly and fairly compares SP Kits with SLSA and ELSA. ** When using Tableau Public — and please do so! — be advised this may work best on your desktop or laptop. The effort called "responsive" to make pages work on smartphones and tablets does not portray the information as conveniently.
This website seeks to offer a reliable source of market information for Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot kit aircraft as a service to the light aircraft sector. If you follow light aviation intently as many readers do, knowing what aircraft and subgroups (within LSA and SP kits*) are thriving or stumbling can be of great interest. Thanks to our fantastic “datastician,” Steve Beste, we know more now than we’ve ever known about aviation’s recreational aircraft segment. You simply cannot find this information anywhere else. With Steve’s superb help, following are a few stories within the numbers. If you don’t care about market shares and just want to hear about aircraft, we won’t keep you waiting long. However, for many, these figures are quite valuable and this is the only place you will find them. Let’s dive in… 2019 Is a Good Year (so far) We’re only three quarters through the year but extrapolating from the first three quarters and assuming a steady pace (which is not a guarantee, of course), we see that all of 2019 should result in 724 new aircraft registrations in the light aircraft sector defined (by us) as Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot kit-built aircraft.
Old Becomes New — Van’s Brought a Light Aircraft Surprise to Oshkosh 2019
(Re)Introducing RV5
RV-5 Specifications (provided by Van's Aircraft):
- Empty Weight — 312 pounds
- Gross Weight — 577 pounds
- Length — 16 feet 7.5 inches
- Cockpit Width — 19 inches
- Wing Span — 20 feet
- Wing Area — 75 square feet
- Top Speed — 120-125 mph
- Cruise at 75% Power — 100+ mph
- Stall "Dirty" — 41 mph
- Takeoff Distance — 175 feet
- Landing Distance — 300 feet
- Climb Rate — 1,200+ fpm
Cruising the grounds at Oshkosh, looking for aircraft to report, I looked around the all-new Homebuilt Area. This group has long occupied a fairly spacious grassy area in a good location south of the Warbirds Area, said to be Oshkosh’s biggest draw. However, for 2019 EAA relocated the area bringing vendors closer to the densest customer traffic, which may encourage more attendees to examine their aircraft. Several exhibitors I spoke to seemed content with the new location. The new area had the usual collection of vendors, many of which qualify as Sport Pilot kits that can be flown with the certificate that needs no aviation medical. Quarters looked rather tight compared to past years, with airplanes somewhat shoehorned into the allocated space. Like all changes — and EAA has made a huge number of them in the fifty years the event has been held in Oshkosh — visitors and vendors will adapt quickly enough and soon we’ll forget the old “North 40” where homebuilt kits once displayed.
DeLand Showcase 2018 Off to a Good Start; Industry Players Generally Upbeat as Year Closes
A view from Scott Severen's Jabiru J-230D cockpit as he approaches DeLand Showcase 2018.
Van's Aircraft RV-12iS — image by Roy Beisswenger / Powered Sport Flying magazine
Who Is Succeeding?
In one day, we did not speak to every vendor and we did not get to the inside booths yet. However, those we did approach for news and updates provided feedback that was significantly on the positive side. Here is a partial recap (again cautioning that this is not inclusive):Icon Aircraft A5 — image by Roy Beisswenger / Powered Sport Flying magazine
BRM Aero Bristell — image by Roy Beisswenger / Powered Sport Flying magazine
M-Squared SLSA version of Zenith's Cruzer — image by Roy Beisswenger / Powered Sport Flying magazine
Aeromarine-LSA Merlin PSA — image by Roy Beisswenger / Powered Sport Flying magazine
Day One of the third running of DeLand Showcase is complete. As Videoman Dave and I scoured the show grounds looking for good stories, we spoke to a few vendors reporting that 2018 has been a good year. Our video news gathering exercise brought a pleasant discovery. Many companies are reporting a solid year of sales. The light aviation industry is composed of many small companies. None are corporations the size of Cessna or Cirrus so they don’t require hundreds of unit sales to break even. A U.S. importer delivering 20 aircraft can experience a good year from sales and other services they offer. When several companies report noteworthy sales success it suggests the market is healthy and customers are buying airplanes they want to enjoy. In parallel, the used LSA market also appears active and a virtuous circle begins to take form. The show itself enjoyed the great organization we have come to expect from director Jana Filip.
Van’s Aircraft To Bring RV-12 Manufacturing Fully In-House; Here’s the Q&A…
What is happening and why?
RV-12 SLSA airplanes will now be built and delivered by Van’s Aircraft at its Aurora, Oregon facility. Several years ago, Van’s set out to implement a comprehensive SLSA program. Synergy and Van’s partnered to build the various components of the complete SLSA program. Synergy worked with Van’s from the onset of the program to apply their expertise related to the marketing and aircraft assembly portions of the program.How does this affect Synergy?
Synergy will focus on its popular builder-assist program, which has become that company’s key area of business emphasis and expansion over the past couple years.What about earlier SLSA purchases? Who will provide support?
All SLSA aircraft have been and will continue to be fully supported by Van’s Aircraft. That will not change. Van’s technical and business support teams remain ready to support every customer that owns and flies our airplanes. The Van’s support team serves as your point of contact for any support needs you may have related to the RV-12.Will the price change? How do I communicate with Van's?
Van's does not anticipate or plan to make any price changes as a result of this business change. Just as before, you can contact Van’s Aircraft at 503-678-6545 or you can email the SLSA support team.What should I expect?
I have an airplane ordered already. How will this affect delivery?
As part of this change, Van's is staffing a dedicated SLSA build team that is co-located at our Oregon factory, the design of which will allow us to increase throughput and enable even quicker delivery of RV-12iS SLSA aircraft. Van's will leverage its existing people, experience and processes to optimize our future ability to deliver more efficiently, as well. We do not anticipate schedule delays as a result of the change in production staffing and location. Any RV-12iS currently in production with Synergy will be finished at Synergy’s Eugene facility. Any aircraft not yet started will be completed at and by Van's Aircraft. Van's anticipates delivering aircraft that are already on the schedule on or before the estimated delivery dates we’ve previously communicated to individual customers.Was there a problem between the businesses?
What about builders assist at Synergy?
Just as it makes sense for Van's to take on SLSA assembly work at this time, it also makes sense for Synergy to focus on its growing and key business: builder-assist services for people who are building their RVs. In fact, Synergy is growing and recently expanded beyond its Eugene, Oregon facility when it opened a second builder-assist center in Georgia. The company concluded, "These changes are great for Van's Aircraft, great for Synergy Air, and good news for our mutual customers."Building kits for homebuilders and assembling fully built aircraft are two very distinct business models. In the early days of Light-Sport Aircraft, European producers enjoyed a head start in fully-built aircraft as their regulations were more accommodating. American producers were the kings of kits, an effort that calls for good assembly instructions and technical support plus groups that can help each other. These two activities represent night and day differences. However, in the years since the regulation arrived, American companies have significantly caught up. Indeed, as September and the 14th anniversary of the SP/LSA rule arrived, Van’s released news of a major change. “Van’s Aircraft is excited to announce that it is establishing its own aircraft assembly facility and team at its company headquarters in Aurora, Oregon,” the world’s largest kit producer said. “Future RV-12iS and RV-12-iST SLSA aircraft models will be assembled and delivered at this new facility.” As many readers know, nearby Synergy Air was Van’s assembly partner for several years.
Major Benchmarks for Manufacturers Serving the Light Aircraft Community
Van's Aircraft's Immensely Popular RV-Series
2016 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, Vans RV-7A. Both RV photos published by GA News
Garmin's One Millionth
"We’re celebrating the delivery of our one-millionth certified avionics product from our manufacturing facility in Olathe, Kansas," announced the popular avionics producer. This large number does not include the huge number of sports or auto products and more made by Garmin over its three decade history. The milestone product was a GTX 3000 DI-260B compliant Mode S Extended Squitter (ES) transponder, which enables ADS-B Out transmissions, a timely offering given the last two years of push to fit GA aircraft with ADS-B Out before the 2020 FAA deadline.Decades of progress from the simple monochrome GPS 90 to the colorful and highly versatile touchscreen G3X.
Where do readers of General Aviation News live?
Recently, a couple major benchmarks were reached by some of our important brand names. These notable achievements deserve mention given their relationship to the LSA and light aircraft sector that this website serves. One is an airframe builder and the other is a avionics giant. Van’s Aircraft’s Immensely Popular RV-Series According to a recent report in General Aviation News, “[When] David Porter took his first flight in his RV-7 on Nov. 24, 2017, he probably didn’t know he was making history. The Martinsburg, West Virginia pilot’s kit-built airplane became the official 10,000th Van’s RV-series aircraft.” Van’s labeled David’s first flight as “official” because more than 10,000 RV-series kit aircraft are definitely known to be flying, but the company recognizes it may not know about all of them. President of his local EAA Chapter (# 1071), David spent three and a half years building his RV-7 from a standard kit.
Van’s Aircraft — RV-12 (Video Pilot Report 2015 — Part 1 of 2)
Video Pilot Reports are some of the most popular of our hundreds of videos. They take more work and they have longer running time; this one on Van's Aircraft's very poplar RV-12 is presented in two parts. When you count RV-12 in both kit and SLSA fully manufactured versions, it is one of America's most popular LSA even though it entered the scene a later than some. In this pilot report, we'll try to tell you and show you why RV-12 is such a hit.
Video Pilot Reports are some of the most popular of our hundreds of videos. They take more work and they have longer running time; this one on Van’s Aircraft’s very poplar RV-12 is presented in two parts. When you count RV-12 in both kit and SLSA fully manufactured versions, it is one of America’s most popular LSA even though it entered the scene a later than some. In this pilot report, we’ll try to tell you and show you why RV-12 is such a hit.
Van’s Aircraft — RV-12 (Video Pilot Report 2015 — Part 2 of 2)
Here's Part 2 of our Video Pilot Report on Van's Aircraft's very poplar RV-12 is presented in two parts. In this second part, Dan Johnson recounts his experience flying Van's RV-12 filling in some details not presented during the in-flight portion of the evaluation. Although doing these VPRs is much more time consuming and take longer to watch, we hope you enjoy all the information they deliver.
Here’s Part 2 of our Video Pilot Report on Van’s Aircraft’s very poplar RV-12 is presented in two parts. In this second part, Dan Johnson recounts his experience flying Van’s RV-12 filling in some details not presented during the in-flight portion of the evaluation. Although doing these VPRs is much more time consuming and take longer to watch, we hope you enjoy all the information they deliver.
Van’s Aircraft — RV-12 SLSA (07/13)
Van's Aircraft needs no introduction to most aviators. The company has more than 8,000 aircraft flying. One of these is their RV-12 LSA models. Mostly that design, like all their models, has been built as a kit. Van's wasn't sure they'd make ready-to-fly models when they started. However, through a nearby company, Van's made arrangements to offer the RV-12 as a factory-built Special LSA. Here company rep' Gus Funnel updates us on the latest information about this popular airplane.
Van’s Aircraft needs no introduction to most aviators. The company has more than 8,000 aircraft flying. One of these is their RV-12 LSA models. Mostly that design, like all their models, has been built as a kit. Van’s wasn’t sure they’d make ready-to-fly models when they started. However, through a nearby company, Van’s made arrangements to offer the RV-12 as a factory-built Special LSA. Here company rep’ Gus Funnel updates us on the latest information about this popular airplane.
Van’s Aircraft — RV-12 (0912)
MIDWEST LSA EXPO 2012 -- One of our series of many short videos from the fall show, this one on the Van's Aircraft RV-12. Most LSA are factory built SLSA but here is the clear-and-away winner of te Experimental LSA race of kit-assembled Light-Sports. More than 350 of the RV-12 kits have reportedly been sold and many are flying. Here we take a quick look at the RV-12 and place it in the family of RV models that have proven so popular.
MIDWEST LSA EXPO 2012 — One of our series of many short videos from the fall show, this one on the Van’s Aircraft RV-12. Most LSA are factory built SLSA but here is the clear-and-away winner of te Experimental LSA race of kit-assembled Light-Sports. More than 350 of the RV-12 kits have reportedly been sold and many are flying. Here we take a quick look at the RV-12 and place it in the family of RV models that have proven so popular.
Van’s Aircraft — RV-12 (0711)
The biggest kit-aircraft builder of them all - Van's Aircraft and their incredibly line of RV airplanes - entered the Light-Sport Aircraft arena with their RV-12. Here we take a look at the kit and its costs while designer Dick VanGrunsven sits on the wing nearby talking to customers. No surprise to anyone, Van's is the biggest success story in Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft or ELSA.
The biggest kit-aircraft builder of them all – Van’s Aircraft and their incredibly line of RV airplanes – entered the Light-Sport Aircraft arena with their RV-12. Here we take a look at the kit and its costs while designer Dick VanGrunsven sits on the wing nearby talking to customers. No surprise to anyone, Van’s is the biggest success story in Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft or ELSA.
4 LSA Brands — Low Wing All-Metal
At the 2010 Midwest LSA Expo we did something new. We picked several aircraft of a similar description and pointed out their similarities and differences. This time we look at four all-metal high wing LSA: Rans Aircraft S-19 Venterra; Evektor Sportstar Max IFR, Van's Aircraft RV-12, and the Breezer Aircraft Breezer II. If you're searching for a high wing LSA, this video may help show your choices and help you make a purchase decision.
At the 2010 Midwest LSA Expo we did something new. We picked several aircraft of a similar description and pointed out their similarities and differences. This time we look at four all-metal high wing LSA: Rans Aircraft S-19 Venterra; Evektor Sportstar Max IFR, Van’s Aircraft RV-12, and the Breezer Aircraft Breezer II. If you’re searching for a high wing LSA, this video may help show your choices and help you make a purchase decision.
Van’s RV-12 Enter Rare Realm of Four Digits
Washington State customer Richard Bangsund picks up his new RV-12 empennage kit from Van's Aircraft. RV-12 photos courtesy of Van's Aircraft
I’ve enjoyed a front row seat for all eleven years that Light-Sport Aircraft have been part of the aviation firmament. In those years of closely following this industry, I’ve only seen companies reach the four digit horizon three times. What does that mean and why might you find it meaningful? First came Cessna’s Skycatcher. More recently it was (quite convincingly) Icon’s A5. Now, welcome Van’s Aircraft. Cessna once claimed more than 1,000 orders for their now-discontinued Skycatcher LSA. The company delivered 271 of them (according to our review of FAA’s N-number database) but we won’t see any more. Icon reports more than 1,300 orders, making them Top Gun in the LSA roost, though they have delivered only one, to EAA’s Young Eagles program. Then, we have Van’s … the undisputed leader of kit aircraft deliveries. In fact, the latter is nearly ready to enter the aviation stratosphere of five digits.
4 things to See at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015
The “Big Show” is just days away, so of course, journalists and readers are asking what will be present? The question is worthwhile, but often the most interesting discoveries are not foretold either to maintain secrecy or due to the last minute scramble to make a new project showable. Here are four products attendees may want to investigate. Watch for more previews. “What a journey so far, wrote Jordan Denitz, spokesman for The Airplane Factory USA! Globetrotters Mike Blyth with Patrick Huang of The Airplane Factory Asia have completed their first three legs on their way around the world in a Sling powered by the Rotax 912iS. Starting in Johannesburg, South Africa, they traveled to Namibia, Ghana, and Cape Verde. On Monday they were taking a well deserved rest after 37 hours and more than 4,000 nautical miles logged so far. “They are gearing up for the biggest hop yet, crossing the Atlantic,” added Jordan.
LSA Market Shares — Fleet and Calendar 2014
As spring approaches and with major airshows like Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany and Sun ‘n Fun in Florida about to trigger a new season of recreational flying, it is time for an annual update of Light-Sport Aircraft market shares. Our well-known “fleet” chart appears nearby; this table refers to all Special LSA registered with FAA in the United States since the first aircraft was accepted by FAA almost ten years ago (on April 5, 2005). We again post our Calendar 2014 tally that shows the success only in that year as a means of drawing attention to those brands and models performing the best in the last twelve months. We remind you that these charts use as their source the FAA registration (N-number) database, that is then carefully studied and corrected to make the most reliable report possible. However, two points: (1) this report will still have some errors as the database on which we rely has some faulty information … though we believe this to be modest and, as noted, we correct it where we can; and, (2) aircraft registrations are not likely to be perfectly in sync with company records of sales for a variety of reasons.