Digital 9 plans

[Jeff R]

Doug's problem was "version control" - where someone would use plans that were not valid on their kit and run into trouble -- and he did not specifically ban the practice here. But Van's, with the preview plans you purchase, clearly states they are not to be used to build by and may not match your kit plans. The warning regarding version control has already been give.

And no one other than Van's should be selling copies. I don't see an issue with sharing a digital copy with someone who already has a paper copy and, in effect, already paid for a license.

[LifeofReiley]

Maybe Van's can start producing their plans sets digitally? Save everyone time and money... even save a bunch of trees.

Easy, mobile, searchable plans and build manual... well that's a no brainer for sure, everybody will want it for sure.

PS: Oh, and maybe fix all the errors in the plans and manuals, that would be worth it right there for sure to many new builders.

[videobobk]

You have given me some ideas here--I would like to be able to send the drawings home with the students that are building our RV-12 (Eagle's Nest) but the number of copies is a problem, plus I don't want to get them confused with the "Master" copy. They all have laptops. I asked for a digital copy, but Van's didn't offer one. I never thought of having a set scanned. I could actually use one, too, as I like to study ahead at home. Carrying plans around is a pain (I have been known to forget things and leave them at home!) Think I'll have a set done for the 12, unless someone out there has a set.

Bob

[FlyingArcher]

Bob,

You can find many full sections in digital format on Van's Revisions Page for the RV-12.
This will save you some scanning time.

[airguy]

Originally Posted by LifeofReiley

Maybe Van's can start producing their plans sets digitally? Save everyone time and money... even save a bunch of trees.

I contacted Vans on this issue to get their opinion, straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. They did not have a problem with sharing the plans per se - their issue was the same as DR's (or perhaps that's backward - DR shares Vans concern), which is version control. Vans does occasionally update the drawings and there is no way to control the digital copies once they are released and shared. To be clear, Vans did not ask me not to share the digital copies - they asked me to be certain that the receiver of the copies understands that they may or may not be accurate to their airplane. We've done that two ways - I put a disclaimer on every email and PM where I shared the location of the plans on Daves website, and Dave put a "readme" file in the directory with the plans saying the same thing. I think we have met the intent of Vans concern in this regard, it would be a little different if we put it out to the world in general but this site coulde be considered a special case.

As has been pointed out already, I did what anybody could do - I simply scanned in my own copies of the plans. I'm not selling them or taking anything for my time/trouble, just sharing what I have available to save others a few minutes and give them something to drool over while they are at work trying not to work.

I completely understand if Doug wants to lock down or even delete this thread - but the fact that he has not done so despite it being around for quite some time tells me that he's mostly OK with it, since we don't use his site specifically for sharing it.

Oh - one other thing - Vans told me that they ARE working on a master digital copy for each model that will eventually be made available for download, so we are just leading the charge here.

[Buggsy2]

Originally Posted by airguy

Oh - one other thing - Vans told me that they ARE working on a master digital copy for each model that will eventually be made available for download

Hurray for Vans. And thanks to you for getting "permission" to post them.

[LifeofReiley]

Originally Posted by airguy

Oh - one other thing - Vans told me that they ARE working on a master digital copy for each model that will eventually be made available for download, so we are just leading the charge here.

Well just maybe Van's has made a decision to listen to the market and the majority of their builders out there... RV3/RV4 QB kits coming soon. ??? Would be a SMART move!

[wolfpack21643]

I think an RV-3 quick build kit would be the bomb and a lot bigger seller then they would belive.

[dnimigon]

Heh Greg
If your still offering those scanned files I'd be really gratefull if you could send out a set.