VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 04-11-2014, 11:04 AM
Bill.Peyton's Avatar
Bill.Peyton Bill.Peyton is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 1,788
Default

How about a review of the deficiencies and aftermarket supplied parts for their existing kits. As an example, a good place to start would be to redesign the RV-10 landing gear, and the -7/6 nose gear. Product improvement is always a good sales tool. Everyone else does it. It would make a great product even greater!
__________________
Bill Peyton
RV-10 - 1125 hrs
N37CP
First Flight Oct 2012
Aviation Partners, LLC
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-11-2014, 11:12 AM
rbibb's Avatar
rbibb rbibb is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Freericksburg, VA
Posts: 624
Default

Of course an obvious thing to do would be to offer a "Rocket" two seater.

That would be cool?
__________________
Richard Bibb
RV-4 N144KT
Fredericksburg, VA
KEZF
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-11-2014, 11:25 AM
bhassel's Avatar
bhassel bhassel is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 963
Default

Unfortunately, the Bearhawk isn't a metal aircraft even though its a great design. That does sort of takes it outside of the area of expertise that Van's has developed so well; a metal aircraft. I have thought about learning welding because of that plane.

A high winger would be nice for all of us high-wing (Cessna-esqe) lovers (my dad worked at the plant in the early-mid 60's). That's a niche that's well covered by Bearhawk, Ran's, Kitfox and others but none are metal....hmmm... Could they do it? Could there be a wide cabin kit C-140/C150 in the future that handles like an RV? Maybe somewhere between an RV-12 and an RV-9?

The Vans' stable is looking good. It would be nice to see the RV-14 innovations spread out to the rest of the model line (especially the canopy).

For now I'll wait to hear more about that dual panel Garmin GX-3 setup for my RV-12 and just dream about the next project...

What could be next? Whatever it is, I'd bet it's already on the drawing boards or at least sinking wispy tendrils into the minds of the Van's engineering team.

Bob
__________________
Bob Hassel
NM


Subscription Paid for 2020

Home is where the hanger is...
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-11-2014, 11:34 AM
claycookiemonster's Avatar
claycookiemonster claycookiemonster is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Old Saybrook, CT
Posts: 201
Default The RV-15...

...will be another "revisit" of the tandem concept. The side-by-side world has gone from -6 to -7 to -9 to -14. The tandem stopped at -8. Given the refinement in construction time that happened between the 7/9 and 14, imagine how much simpler and easier to build an upgraded -8 would be.
Use the wing from the -14, use the engine mount taildragger gear from the -14 to eliminate the gear towers and ever so slightly lengthen and widen the fuselage to allow actual rudder pedals in the back seat for true dual controls. Sadly, I'm afraid the stunning resemblance to the P-51 will be gone. Van's has eliminated sliding canopies from the -14 and I bet they'll be gone from the tandem -15 too. The tip-over gives better visibility and seals better and a "fastback" aft fuselage ala Rocket gives more storage and perhaps higher speeds.

Faster & easier construction sells more kits, more commonality between kits saves Van's money. No brainer.

Clay Cook
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-11-2014, 11:39 AM
ScottSchmidt's Avatar
ScottSchmidt ScottSchmidt is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 1,158
Default

I have posted my thoughts before.

My new revised list would be.
1- first production kit, electric 2 seat
2 - 6 seat turbine under $300,000
__________________
Scott Schmidt
Salt Lake City, UT

RV-10 N104XP (1280 Hours)
RV-12 N321UT (Sold)
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-11-2014, 12:13 PM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,351
Default

My wish list:
I want more speed with reasonable/great fule economy as we all see in an RV.
__________________
Mehrdad
N825SM RV7A - IO360M1B - SOLD
N825MS RV14A - IO390 - Flying
Dues paid
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-11-2014, 02:35 PM
E. D. Eliot E. D. Eliot is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: San Pedro
Posts: 1,013
Default Must Make $$$

Whatever Van's engineers come up with, it must sell enough kits to make money. As I see it, Van's already has the basis for the RV-15. Take the existing emp. and wings from the RV-12, design a cool looking tandem fuselage with the third wheel in back. Emphasis - the fuselage must look trim and sexy. Fuel in the beefed up wings.

Produce two basic versions - one which is an ELSA and the other would be aerobatic capable. If the aerobatic airplane works out to be too heavy for ELAS then so be it. Kind of a mini-rocket. ELSA version powered by Rotax and the other one a more powerful engine - maybe 125 HP.
__________________
Building finally
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-11-2014, 02:41 PM
erikpmort's Avatar
erikpmort erikpmort is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: logan, utah
Posts: 405
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottSchmidt View Post
I have posted my thoughts before.

My new revised list would be.
1- first production kit, electric 2 seat
2 - 6 seat turbine under $300,000


6 seat turbine yes!
__________________
Erik Mortenson
Rans S-20 low and slow

14 build working on wings
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-11-2014, 03:02 PM
AV8AZ AV8AZ is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 60
Default

If Primary Non-Commercial came through and the 3rd class went away this would indeed put a dent in new kit sales. New kit offerings probably wouldn't want to try compete with PNC (e.g. flying Mooney for 35k, with glass upgrade 40-45k vs RV-9 FB kit alone for ~35k).

Above said, I'm all for a good looking tandem match-holed blind rivet taildragger (even without acro capability).
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-11-2014, 03:31 PM
plehrke's Avatar
plehrke plehrke is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Defiance, MO
Posts: 1,674
Default

Maybe the answer to the question is to ask who is taking over the configuration design lead at Vans when Van steps out completely. Maybe this is discussed in another thread I have not seen. Knowing the back ground and desires of the next lead designer may shed some light. My guess (with no knowledge of Van himself) is that as long as Van is there the current formula of low wing total performance we all love will continue. You can't question that success. New blood may (and I for one do not think they need to vary the formula) veer the coarse slightly but probably not completely.
Then I could be completely wrong.
__________________
Philip
RV-6A - 14+ years, 950+ hours
Based at 1H0 (Creve Coeur)
Paid dues yearly since 2007
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:23 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.