What should Vans do next?

[Loman]

Now that the RV-12 is out the door, what shoudl the next Vans aircraft be?

[N941WR]

Check this thread.

[Phil]

Good question.. Here's my thoughts.

1) The RV-11 does nothing for me. It's just not exciting.

2) I'm cool with an Amphibian, sounds like fun and I'd love a float plane. Just keep it affordable, because it's just to kick around here locally on the weekend.

3) A twin sounds great too. I'd love a twin RV to tour the country with an extra engine pulling me along. This one got my vote primarily because there aren't many twin kits out there and a new one is way too expensive for most of us.

4) I'm excited about the personal jet thing. I really loved the jet that Sonex had on display at Oshkosh. If you could give me one of those at a reasonable price and with the option to hang a 2nd engine off the back, I'd be all over it today.

Personally I really wanted to vote for the jet, but I just don't see the engine prices making it too feasible at this time. I hope that changes. So it ultimately didn't get my vote. BUT I WANT IT!

[Louise Hose]

An affordable motorglider might be just the ticket for Paul and me in a decade or two. Certainly a great complement to our current fleet!

[SteinAir]

I'm surprised that there isn't more support for a high wing bush type plane....seems to me that is the one part of the market that could be justified (that being the Glastar/Sportsman, Moose, Tundra, Bearhawk, etc..).

That's what I'd like to see! There are a lot of "neato" ideas that we'd all like to see, but the reality is it has to make business sense. An amphibian does not, nor does a jet at this point, or even a motorglider - light twins are going for giveaway prices right now so I doubt there is much market there given insurance and maintenance. If any of the aforementioned had a huge market there would be more players in said market. The only market that is successful enough to sustain many multiple (and good quality) suppliers is really what I referred to; but then again that's just my opinion.

Cheers,
Stein

[Bryan Wood]

A kit consisting of a 7 wing that would mount to the 9 center section along with 7 tail feathers included in the same kit. I for one would consider purchasing such a kit.

[Mike S]

Gotta go with Stein on this------

Bushplane.

With an M14 on it

Or, a "Rocket"ish design??

[Radomir]

Bryan that's called RV-7 that's what you're describing there...

What would the benefit of "9 center section" be?

[Chino Tom]

Originally Posted by SteinAir

I'm surprised that there isn't more support for a high wing bush type plane....seems to me that is the one part of the market that could be justified (that being the Glastar/Sportsman, Moose, Tundra, Bearhawk, etc..).

That's what I'd like to see! There are a lot of "neato" ideas that we'd all like to see, but the reality is it has to make business sense. An amphibian does not, nor does a jet at this point, or even a motorglider - light twins are going for giveaway prices right now so I doubt there is much market there given insurance and maintenance. If any of the aforementioned had a huge market there would be more players in said market. The only market that is successful enough to sustain many multiple (and good quality) suppliers is really what I referred to; but then again that's just my opinion.

Cheers,
Stein

I agree. A more utilitarian 2 + 2 airplane. One that you could actually
get a bicycle or a bunch of camping gear in. Not aerobatic with larger
tires. I know the RV-10 fits this sort of. But something you could build
for the same $$$ as a RV-7/8/9. 180/200 hp and 145/150 KTAS.
Maybe a streched 9 on steriods.

[RV7Guy]

I like Stein's idea for a bush plane.

I'd also like to see a full blown aerobatic plane. There is really nothing out there affordable in this genre. Not on the level of the MX2 or Extras but something to do everything at a reasonable price.