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  #1  
Old 03-06-2015, 07:37 PM
N526JS's Avatar
N526JS N526JS is offline
 
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Location: San Rafael, CA
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Wink New S-LSA RV-12

In February of this year I took delivery of a new S-LSA (factory built) RV-12, N272VA. This is perhaps the first Garmin G3X (touch screen) equipped RV-12 to be sold.

A bit of background. I began building an RV-9A in late 2005. After building some sub assemblies in my garage, I retired from my job at the end of 2006. Secure in my retirement I moved the project to the Petaluma, CA airport (O69) and built in earnest. Earnest being in between helping friends complete their RV-8 and other friends maintain things like Stearmans, etc. Retirement was great. Great until I came down with Leukemia (ALL, the bad kind) in 2011 and required chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. This sidelined the RV-9 project and caused me to not renew my medical. I am now at a point of complete remission and again working, slowly, on the RV-9. I have chosen not to seek a medical just because I don?t want to ?jump through the hoops?, especially as there were complications in the Leukemia treatment and I am hoping (and writing to my representatives) for the expanded driver?s license medical.

Which leads to the RV-12. Not having a medical and wanting to fly the only current option is an LSA, (OK, trikes, sailplanes, motor gliders as well). Building an RV-12 (the obvious choice) seemed silly as I am working on the RV-9 so a decision was made to purchase a factory built S-LSA RV-12. Additionally, my Flight Instructor, Patrick Scanlon, owner of Scanlon Aviation at Gnoss Field (KDVO) in Novato,CA had been mentioning that he would like to have an LSA in his fleet of rental aircraft and would be open to a lease back on such a plane. Hmm. A call to Van?s put me in touch with Kaitlyn Tepe of the ?RV-12 Team?. As I had seen an article about the Garmin G3X in an E-LSA I asked if this might be an option over the Dynon SkyView. Note, I have flown friend?s A/C with the SkyView and I think it is a fine unit, I just lean a little bit more towards the Garmin. Kaitlyn mentioned that they had the first Garmin unit in production and the deal was pretty much made.

Coincidentally, Kaitlyn and factory demo pilot Joe Blank were soon to be flying Van?s Rv-12 from Oregon to the Copper State fly-in in Arizona and agreed to stop by KDVO and demo the plane for us. Of course the RV-12 lived up to all expectations, especially in mastering the notorious crosswinds at Gnoss Field. The deal was sealed.

N272VA is now based at Gnoss Field (KDVO), Novato, CA. Factory pilot Jose Gutierrez delivered the plane from Oregon (nominal fee) and gave myself and Patrick Scanlon checkouts. I could go on and on about how great a plane this is to fly but this post is getting long enough already (hey, it flies like an RV). There is an issue with the G3X autopilot but the factory and Garmin are very much on top of the situation.

Most important (in my estimation) is that Scanlon Aviation has this plane available for instruction, rental, and transition training. All of Scanlon Aviation?s instructors are being brought up to speed in the RV-12 and it is currently available. Bring yourself and family to Marin County California and get some time in an RV-12 S-LSA. No medical required, however, I am still pushing to expand that issue. While flying the RV-12 you and your family can visit all the attractions of Northern California. Napa and Sonoma counties are close by (think wine country) as is San Francisco. Take a ?Bay Tour? in the RV-12 and fly right over the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz if you wish.

Best of all, I get to fly the RV-12 as well.

Last edited by N526JS : 03-06-2015 at 07:42 PM. Reason: text
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  #2  
Old 03-06-2015, 07:42 PM
rv9builder rv9builder is offline
 
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Welcome! Is it a kit or SLSA?
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  #3  
Old 03-06-2015, 07:44 PM
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N526JS N526JS is offline
 
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Location: San Rafael, CA
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Default S-LSA

Quote:
Originally Posted by rv9builder View Post
Welcome! Is it a kit or SLSA?
Sorry, The trial post did not contain my expanded text as I was trying to import an image from Flikr. No joy there. Anyone have suggestions for dealing with Flikr?
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  #4  
Old 03-07-2015, 06:02 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
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Default Not a kit

Quote:
Originally Posted by rv9builder View Post
Welcome! Is it a kit or SLSA?
Read the third paragraph. It was professionally built.

Best,
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RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
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Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
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Dues gladly paid!
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  #5  
Old 03-07-2015, 09:42 AM
redbaron redbaron is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Lucerne,Ca
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Default RV-12 autopilot

I will be down for some training, we live in Lake County and my RV-12 12 is about 80% complete. What is the autopilot issue? Rich
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  #6  
Old 03-07-2015, 05:18 PM
rjtjrt rjtjrt is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Australia
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I have often wondered why Van's don't have a list of flight schools with RV-12's.
Would be good place for people wanting to experience the 12 but don't want to travel to Oregon.
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  #7  
Old 03-07-2015, 08:50 PM
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N526JS N526JS is offline
 
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Location: San Rafael, CA
Posts: 101
Default Autopilot issue.

Quote:
Originally Posted by redbaron View Post
I will be down for some training, we live in Lake County and my RV-12 12 is about 80% complete. What is the autopilot issue? Rich
There seems to be an AHRS interface issue. The message says that AHRS is using a "backup RS-232 interface". When this happens the autopilot drops off-line. The PFD works OK although there is occasionally a brief red "X" on the screen on boot-up. I suspect that it is a cable issue but it has not been diagnosed yet. Garmin support is very much involved with us and we have sent some diagnostic files to them. Van's is in the loop as well. This is a brand new RV-12 and it is a beautifully constructed machine and flies wonderfully. The autopilot issue certainly will be resolved. Also, the Garmin G3X is a great unit to fly with.

Last edited by N526JS : 03-07-2015 at 09:02 PM. Reason: Add text.
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  #8  
Old 03-07-2015, 09:00 PM
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N526JS N526JS is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: San Rafael, CA
Posts: 101
Default Van's information on flight schools.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rjtjrt View Post
I have often wondered why Van's don't have a list of flight schools with RV-12's.
Would be good place for people wanting to experience the 12 but don't want to travel to Oregon.
This is a great point. We are just now setting up the RV-12 within the flight school structure at Scanlon Aviation at KDVO. Van's personnel have shown enthusiasm for this resource. I am hopeful that when all is finalized that Van's might provide a link to this service. And yes we are talking to Van's.
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  #9  
Old 03-08-2015, 08:33 PM
newamiga newamiga is offline
 
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Location: Barneveld, NY
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Great news. I was recently out in Napa visiting wine country and looking for LSA rental options in the area. I am also building a RV-12 and own a Gobosh 700, which is similar in flight characteristics. I will definitely check it out next trip.

Carl
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  #10  
Old 03-08-2015, 09:00 PM
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N526JS N526JS is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: San Rafael, CA
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OK, So imbedding pictures seems beyond me here are a couple of links to the RV-12.

https://flic.kr/p/r15vch

https://flic.kr/p/rhC2yP

Oh yes. My wife picked the color and the factory paint job is spectacular.

Last edited by N526JS : 03-08-2015 at 09:07 PM. Reason: Add paint comment.
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