VansAirforce's massive contribution to the 10,000 milestone

[Captain Avgas]

OK, I'll come straight to the point. Without VansAirforce I don't believe that Vans Aircraft would be celebrating their 10,000 flying aircraft milestone at this time...or at any time in the near future for that matter.

When I bought my RV7A empennage and started building in 2004 my choice of kit was influenced by a number of factors. However the single most influential factor in that decision was the level of user group internet technical support for the RV.

At the time I was teetering on the edge between a Glasair Sportsman and the RV7A. In the end it was the level of internet technical support that tipped me over to the RV.

And when I say user group internet support I really mean VansAirforce.net. I began monitoring VansAirforce in about the year 2000 (it was part of Yahoo Groups in those days) and by 2004 it was apparent to me that technical user support for the RV through VansAirforce was vastly superior to the user group support for the Glasair products.

In other words the success of VansAirforce produced a sale for Vans Aircraft.

And my best guess is that I am not alone in this matter. I'd be pretty confident that the phenomenon that is VansAirforce has been instrumental in some degree in the sale of literally thousands of RVs.

In fact VansAirforce became such an amazing source and repository of RV technical knowledge that in 2011 Vans Aircraft decided to ditch its traditional RVator publication. This technical publication was replaced by a Facebook page that now largely consists of first flight notifications and social chitchat.

In December 2012, Flying Magazine called VansAirforce.net "the most vibrant and engaged online community arguably in all of aviation". That's a big call, but I would not dispute it. I believe that VansAirforce has now become the big bright shop-front window for Vans Aircraft. And for Vans Aircraft it is probably a very low cost shop window indeed.

Today it is obvious that many RV builders look to VansAirforce as a first stop for many technical support issues rather than contacting Vans Aircraft for support as they may have done in the past. This will have undoubtedly reduced the pressure on Vans Support despite a growing market thus reducing their overheads.

I'm only guessing but I imagine that VansAirforce might have 40-50 thousand regular viewers. It is truly a phenomenon and it is an enormous ongoing asset for Vans Aircraft for reasons expressed above.

One might argue that the success of Vans Aircraft has brought success to VansAirforce...that VansAirforce has simply been carried forward in the slipstream. I don't hold that view. I believe they have both been integral to each other's success.

So in conclusion, I say congratulations to Vans Aircraft for getting 10,000 aircraft into the air....and congratulations to VansAirforce for its undeniably enormous contribution to that milestone.

[logansc]

Couldn't agree more. Best supported kit plane [by its builders] available anywhere. Congratulations, Doug!

Van owes you a Christmas Card at the very least!


Lee...

[mbauer]

When I decided to buy a flying RV, did lots of research. Reading through the threads here helped with my choice.

When I finally found one, asking about a pre-buy inspection, found the right person to help with that as well.

Lots of great info here.

After reading some of the build threads, and completions, has me thinking trying that building one might be the next step.

Thank you all!

Best regards,
Mike Bauer

[rv8ch]

I agree that VAF is an outstanding resource, and nothing says "thanks" like cold, hard, cash!

Here's what I did to put my (wife's) money where my mouth is:

[DanH]

Now if we could just find a permanent home for all the lost visual content.

We're talking builder support here, not cat videos.

[ShortSnorter]

In regards to the OP; A poll would be very interesting to see how much influence VAF had on either a prospective builder or buyer.

+1 for me having VAF as the tipping point for an RV.

[scrollF4]

Like Mickey, I send a monthly contribution. Actually, I consider it an investment. During KELLI GIRL?s build, I learned early on that as good as the Mothership?s tech support is, through VAF I could find way more complete answers through the knowledge and experiences of those who had built before me. When build momentum stalled, VAF provided new motivation through other RVer?s exploits (thanks Vlad, Turbo, Cards x 2, and so many others).

Well done, Doug, thank you.

[hawkeyestof]

VAF was one very important factor in my decision to build the 8. VAF was/is an often referred to resource while building and while flying. As friend Mike remarked recently, we all seem to run into the same problem - and VAF often shows the way to solving each "challenge ". I agree, no 10,000 yet w/o VAF. Rock on Vans - rock on VAF.

[shanecfi]

I can fully and truthfully say that without VAF I would not have met Mitch, test flown the 14a, and bought the 14a kit.

Not much else to add to this sentiment.

Wing skins riveting begins in about a week.

Tail Winds to all!!

[larrys]

Originally Posted by DanH

Now if we could just find a permanent home for all the lost visual content.

We're talking builder support here, not cat videos.

I could not agree more!! Amen.