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Founded by Richard "Van" VanGrunsven in 1973, Van's Aircraft Inc. is a homebuilt aircraft kit manufacturer.
Van's Aircraft Inc. Factory at the Aurora State Airport in Oregon USA.
Photo taken July 12, 2007
KUAO - Aurora, OR USA
Photo
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1983 Van's Aircraft RV-3
N32AP (SN 0270)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2006
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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1988 Van's Aircraft RV-4 "Princess"
N106RB (SN 1066)
Picture taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2006
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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1998 Van's Aircraft RV-4 / Harmon Rocket II
N760RF (SN 76-31)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2006
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
© AirplaneMart.com
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2002 Van's Aircraft RV4 / F1 Rocket
C-GLOK (SN 045)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2007
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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1996 Van's Aircraft RV-6
N456MD (SN 20107)
Image taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2007
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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2001 Van's Aircraft RV-6A
N114RT (SN 60046)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2007
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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Van's RV series of aircraft, from the single seat RV-3 to the latest RV-10, are all-aluminum, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction. All, except the RV-3, RV-4 and RV-10 are available in both tricycle and taildragger configurations. All tricycle gear model designations except the RV-10 carry an "A" at the end (e.g., RV-6A). All RVs are aerobatic, with the exception of the RV-9 and RV-10.
The RV series of airplanes has been extremely successful; there are thousands of RVs flying, making the series one of the most numerous of all homebuilt aircraft. They are generally suited for aerobatics with their responsive controls, and offer both good speed and fuel economy.
Van's factory is located at Aurora State Airport, Oregon. This location serves as a point of an annual fly-in for Van's aircraft owners.
Van's Aircraft RV-7 Amphibian Aircraft
N67683 (SN 72630)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2007
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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2004 Van's Aircraft RV-7
N627RV (SN 71596)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2007
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
© AirplaneMart.com
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2005 Van's Aircraft RV-7A
N472ES (SN 70472)
Image taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2006
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
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2006 Van's Aircraft RV-8
N805K (SN 81470)
Photo taken at Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In July 2007
KAWO - Arlington, WA USA
Photo
© AirplaneMart.com
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2003 Van's Aircraft RV-8A
N888FP (SN 80816)
Picture taken at Sun 'n Fun April 2007
KLAL - Lakeland, FL USA
Photo
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2005 Van's Aircraft RV-9A
C-FZMM (SN 90827)
Photo taken August 18, 2006
CAU3 - Oliver, BC Canada
Photo
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Experimental status
RVs are deemed Experimental 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. As such, Van's cannot sell completed aircraft, although a modified version of the RV-6 was sold to the Nigerian government as a military trainer. In the United States the builder is considered the manufacturer, and must complete at least 51% of the project, after which they may apply for a Repairman Certificate. Upon evaluation of the candidate's qualification by the appropriate Flight Standard's District Office (FSDO) serving the geographical area where the aircraft is based he will be given the certificate for that aircraft so certain inspections including the annual condition inspection can be legally be performed on that aircraft alone by that individual. Similar regulations apply in the other countries listed above.
Engines
The most popular engines installed in the RV-3 to RV-9 are the 160 hp Lycoming O-320 and 180-200 hp O-360, with Subaru and Mazda rotary automobile engines also used. RV-10 builders generally install the fuel injected Lycoming IO-540 or the carbureted O-540 engine, which are rated between 235 and 260 hp. Like many modern homebuilts, builders can choose between a fixed pitch and constant speed propeller.
Type club
The RV series of aircraft have a very active aircraft type club Van's Air Force that provides support for owners and pilots of all these aircraft.
Van's RV aircraft series
- Van's Aircraft RV-1: Stits SA-3 Playboy modified w/ 125hp Lycoming and custom wing
- Van's Aircraft RV-2: Wooden flying wing sailplane prototype that was never completed
- Van's Aircraft RV-3: Single seat
- Van's Aircraft RV-4: Two seats, tandem, bubble canopy
- Van's Aircraft RV-5: A small metal single seat prototype that was flown with a two-stroke engine
- Van's Aircraft RV-6 / RV-6A: Two seats, side-by-side
- Van's Aircraft RV-7 / RV-7A: Improved RV-6, with longer wingspan and larger rudder
- Van's Aircraft RV-8 / RV-8A: Improved RV-4, with larger cockpit
- Van's Aircraft RV-9 / RV-9A: Two seats, side-by-side; larger wing and more docile handling qualities
- Van's Aircraft RV-10: Four seats, tricycle gear only
- Van's Aircraft RV-11: Single seat, motorglider; currently under development
- Van's Aircraft RV-12: Two seats, side-by-side Light Sport Aircraft; currently under development
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2004 Van's Aircraft RV-10
N220RV (SN 40210)
Van's Aircraft Inc RV10 Demonstration And Research Airplane.
Photo taken July 12, 2007
KUAO - Aurora, OR USA
Photo
© AirplaneMart.com
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2006 Van's Aircraft RV-12
N912VA (SN 1)
Van's Aircraft Inc RV12 Proof Of Concept Prototype LSA Airplane.
Photo taken July 12, 2007
KUAO - Aurora, OR USA
Photo
© AirplaneMart.com
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