Suggestions to Vans: The RV-12 is a game changer.

[E. D. Eliot]

Kevin - if you come up with a reasonable trailer for your RV-12, I would be very interested in seeing it. Haven't built my 12 yet but really want to trailer it to and from the airport. Everyone says that I'll end up putting into a hanger on the trailer. Your thoughts?

[kevinl4000]

Originally Posted by E. D. Eliot

Kevin - if you come up with a reasonable trailer for your RV-12, I would be very interested in seeing it. Haven't built my 12 yet but really want to trailer it to and from the airport. Everyone says that I'll end up putting into a hanger on the trailer. Your thoughts?

Vans says this plane can be trailered to the aiport. So what if it takes twenty minutes of rigging/unrigging? A dream trailer would be something like what gliders use, but shaped for an RV-12. However I understand an enclosed 102"(?) car carrier will also work - the one guys use to take their race cars to the track. I bet someone starts a thread in the next year or two that calls for builders to post pictures of their RV-12 trailers (I will if no one else does). I'm hoping that some RVator will have come up with some elegant solution by then that protects the plane and keeps the tail from wagging. Since I'm on the VSB program (very slow build), it'll be years before I have to worry about it, but I do think trailering the RV-12 is a viable option.

[videobobk]

Whether you need removable wings or not, or like any other of the features, one thing is certain--this is one fine flying little airplane. The build time is so much less than my 9A, and the fuel burn is less (per hour anyway) than just about anything I have ever flown except maybe ultralights, that there is fantastic potential here. Now that I have flown one (for just two days now) I can see the appeal. While it is certainly different, and obviously lighter, it is an RV all the way. The view is amazing, and I even like the sound of the engine. Landings are almost Cub-like in their grace and low speed. It has that in-control feeling all the way down to stall. This will be the perfect plane for the partnership or small club, and the few oddities, I predict, will make it have an almost cult-like following. There isn't a perfect airplane for fun flying out there, but this one comes close, IMHO.

Bob

[NASA515]

A friend, Steve C.,at the Auburn, Wash airport, has another solution. He has an enclosed trailer for his folding wing Aerotrek. After bringing it home for a while, he rented a tie-down spot at the airport and now keeps it there at tie-down rates instead of hangar rates.

Bob Bogash
N737G

[kevinl4000]

Another great suggestion!

[NCGAPilot]

Originally Posted by NASA515

A friend, Steve C.,at the Auburn, Wash airport, has another solution. He has an enclosed trailer for his folding wing Aerotrek. After bringing it home for a while, he rented a tie-down spot at the airport and now keeps it there at tie-down rates instead of hangar rates.

Bob Bogash
N737G

Eh, I'd rather have the trailer, aircrafts tend to fair better in enclosed space than to be left outside all the time.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by NCGAPilot

Eh, I'd rather have the trailer, aircrafts tend to fair better in enclosed space than to be left outside all the time.

I think he means that he leaves the airplane IN the trailer on the tie-down spot.

[NASA515]

Roger that, Mel. He leaves the airplane IN the trailer. He's also told me it stores better in the trailer than in some hangars he's had, being quite tight, he has no problems with rain, dust and rodents.

In fact, you can see Steve pulling his airplane out of the trailer here - it's the yellow airplane with the enclosed trailer. I've flown with him in it. It takes just a few minutes.

http://www.aerotrek.aero/trailers.htm

Bob Bogash
N737G

[Flyer68]

I'm in with the baggage area gas tank and removable wings. I know of one person who went Rans 19 because of it. Van's Skunkworks screwed this one up.
You're right in that they should have given us the option of removable wings or not.

[Bill_H]

1 person gone, ~700 kits sold. Hmmmmm......