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What's next from Van's?
I keep wondering what Van's will do next for an airplane.. I must admit the RV-14 puzzled me, considering how good the RV-7 already is..
It doesn't really feel like there are any holes to fill in the Vans line of aircraft right now, but I can't see them sitting around doing nothing.. so I've been wondering what Van's is going to do next? I think it would be cool to see him develop a real 2-place IO-540 powered speedster. Something designed to work up in the Glasair III or Lancair Legacy speed ranges but in all-metal construction.. Or maybe a new tapered wing for the RV-8.. Just dreaming out loud here.. :) |
I know there are still a number of people who would like to see an all metal high wing bush-type plane from Van's (myself included). With the Sportsman headed for certification and Glasair having already announced that they will stop producing kits once it is certified, there will be even fewer options. Murphy makes some good examples, but they are extremely hard to get kits from and the kits (not to mention the instructions) are not nearly as complete as Vans.
I vote for an all metal Glastar/Sportsman like craft. |
Those of us who own Murphy?s would also love to see vans get into that side of the market. The Murphy line was up for sale last year and a lot of us were holding our breath that vans would buy the line. Unfortunately it didn?t happen. It would be awesome to see vans produce such a plane with all of their knowledge in the all metal side of things.
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I think thats the only thing that would open a new market for them. All the other planes fill all the voids.
Personally I prefer they keep the kits simpler like the 7/8/9. the 14 is pretty advanced, but the price reflects that. I'd rather save a little money and do a little work myself. I still like airplane building rather than airplane assembly. |
Have to admit, I'm in the improved RV8 camp - a la something along the lines of a tandem RV14 or O540 powered tandem speedster.
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My take
A fast high wing or a really fast Rv9/14 clone (io540 w/ 240kt cruise)
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My guess? Something that is easier to build than the RV-8, but isn't quite as fast or as maneuverable.
I'm pretty much in the F-4 Raider camp for my next project at this point. |
I'd love to see a Rocket type, or Super-8 type, but I'm guessing the market isn't large enough for them to design the kit for that.
A more realistic target might be the Lancair/Mooney/Bonanza performance market, there are enough buyers there with enough dollars to pay attention to. |
My choice would be a plane much like the RV-9, with a longer, stronger gear for the back-country places, an external baggage door, that has the same sort of step-by-step instructions that the double-digit planes do.
Dave |
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With Van's penchant for commonality of parts across the present production lines, this would fit into their heritage. Just some random thoughts... :) |
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