How long did your Factory-Built RV12 take?

[N8DAV8R]

Originally Posted by mvanwyk

I'm trying to wrap my brain around how I will be able to pick up my new RV-12is at Aurora State Airport (KUAO) and fly it 439 NM to my home base San Martin Airport (E16), when I have not flown a single minute in a RV-12. I have sat in an RV-12 owned by an acquaintance of mine who is at my home base airport, but I would never ask him to allow me to fly it.

My plan right now is to get as current/proficient as possible in SEL, read all of the available documentation such as POH, Garmin documentation (and online Garmin simulator), and I assume I get some training there at Van's, which is listed as one of the places that rents out RV-12s.
Van’s Aircraft
Aurora, OR
(503) 678-6545
Transition training and factory demo flights

Is there a common rental airplane that would be best to train in, that most closely resembles RV-12? Or is flying a rental Cessna 172 or a Piper Warrior roughly equivalent?
p.s.
I have over 800 hours in my previous Cessna C-150, which I do believe to be roughly equivalent in performance (100 HP two seater).

I contacted Van's twice about transition training in the -12. Both time I was told to go look somewhere else for one reason or another. It doesn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't count on it. They may be a little more cooperative with S-LSA buyers. Also, if you're already in that area there is an RV-12 available for instruction at Twin Oaks so with some planning you should be able to figure something out. Going up a week early to do some flying while you wait for a factory new airplane sounds like a heck of a trip!

You'll get replies about training in other RVs, other LSAs, etc. Every policy stands on the relevant facts that are different for each person, but my guess is that you're going to learn that your insurance wants a check out in an RV-12 specifically. Don't let people distract you with 'advice' about transitioning in something else. Stay focused on finding an RV-12.

I have learned that the world of insurance and requirements has changed a lot in the last few years. There is a lot of bad advice out there dressed up as experience.

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by mvanwyk

What about my new questions, about how do I get some training in an RV-12?

Bring a CFI with you for the trip home.

[greghughespdx]

Originally Posted by mvanwyk

I did order a plane. In January, 2023.
My question about how long it takes is sufficiently answered.
What about my new questions, about how do I get some training in an RV-12?

One option: You can call and talk with our SLSA sales and customer guru, Aric, about the possibility of receiving familiarization training in your RV-12iS before you fly it home. You'll want to be current and proficient in small aircraft before you do that, of course.

Lead times are highly dependent on the number in the queue at the time you place your order and we work to come as close to the estimated and communicate lead times as possible. Our SLSA assembly throughput has been increasing a bit, and we will be making a few changes in the near future that will likely continue to improve our team's production throughput.

[mvanwyk]

Originally Posted by N8DAV8R

...my guess is that you're going to learn that your insurance wants a check out in an RV-12 specifically. Don't let people distract you with 'advice' about transitioning in something else. Stay focused on finding an RV-12.
I have learned that the world of insurance and requirements has changed a lot in the last few years. There is a lot of bad advice out there dressed up as experience...

Excellent points. Thanks.

Originally Posted by greghughespdx

One option: You can call and talk with our SLSA sales and customer guru, Aric, about the possibility of receiving familiarization training in your RV-12iS before you fly it home. You'll want to be current and proficient in small aircraft before you do that, of course.

Lead times are highly dependent on the number in the queue at the time you place your order and we work to come as close to the estimated and communicate lead times as possible. Our SLSA assembly throughput has been increasing a bit, and we will be making a few changes in the near future that will likely continue to improve our team's production throughput.

Like I said, my "lead times" questions have been answered.
I'm definitely going to look into some training in an RV-12 before I fly it home (sometime in mid-2024).

[BryanStearns]

FlyIt Academy at Grove Field (1W1) in Camas, WA recently added an RV-12iS to their rental line, and offers instruction. They’re a few miles north of Portland, whereas Van’s is about an hour south of Portland.

I’m not a customer there - I’m currently planning to get my -12 instruction at Twin Oaks when I’m closer to finishing my build because I’m hoping to get a hangar there, but I thought I’d mention it in case you’re looking to travel for your training.

[mvanwyk]

Originally Posted by N8DAV8R

...there is an RV-12 available for instruction at Twin Oaks so with some planning you should be able to figure something out. Going up a week early to do some flying while you wait for a factory new airplane sounds like a heck of a trip!....

That sounds like a plan.

Originally Posted by greghughespdx

...You can call and talk with our SLSA sales and customer guru, Aric, about the possibility of receiving familiarization training in your RV-12iS before you fly it home...

Frankly, I'm surprised that Van's doesn't have an established familiarization training program set up before they hand off the keys to a buyer.
I "assumed" they did. I'm glad I started asking questions early, so that I can prepare.

Originally Posted by BryanStearns

...FlyIt Academy at Grove Field (1W1) in Camas, WA recently added an RV-12iS to their rental line, and offers instruction. They’re a few miles north of Portland, whereas Van’s is about an hour south of Portland...

Thanks for providing another option.
My plan before taking delivery in 2024:
* Get current and proficient as possible locally where I live (3rd Class Medical, BFR in SEL -- rental Cessna/Piper/whatever, etc.)
* Read, read, read. RV-12iS POH, maintenance manuals, Garmin G3X manuals, etc.
* Train, train, train. Simulate, simulate, simulate. Such as online Garmin G3X online simulators.
* Arrange with my home base airport for a tie down, like I previously had for 17 years with my C-150, so that I have somewhere to put it when I get it home.
* Arrange with my acquaintance Bruce, of Bruce's Covers, to have ready for me a complete, full cover -- wings, fuselage, tail feathers, etc., because I won't have a hangar. The plane will live outside. All maintenance will be accomplished by the local FBO.
* Arrange with insurance company to be insured from day one of ownership. That will require that I arrange training specifically in an RV-12.
* Set up logistics to travel to Oregon, spend a week or so, while I set up training at one of the nearby flight schools with RV-12, and then go pick up the plane when it's done.
Sounds like I have a lot of planning to do.
Thanks for all who provided useful information.

[greghughespdx]

Originally Posted by mvanwyk

Frankly, I'm surprised that Van's doesn't have an established familiarization training program set up before they hand off the keys to a buyer.
I "assumed" they did. I'm glad I started asking questions early, so that I can.

FYI, we *do* have a program for this. Two hours of training are available with a cfi in your airplane, provided as part of the purchase. You can also hire additional hours from the instructor if you like. Give Aric and call and he can fill you in on the details.

[mvanwyk]

Originally Posted by greghughespdx

FYI, we *do* have a program for this. Two hours of training are available with a cfi in your airplane, provided as part of the purchase. You can also hire additional hours from the instructor if you like. Give Aric and call and he can fill you in on the details.

Thanks for making that clear.
You confused me when you originally wrote:
"You can call and talk with our SLSA sales and customer guru, Aric, about the possibility of receiving familiarization training in your RV-12iS before you fly it home."
That made it sound like I had to ask for the training. That it was not an automatic. That it was only a possibility.

[j4cbo]

Originally Posted by AeroEngineer

That's a good question. In my personal opinion, the Evektor SportStar and the PiperSport / CZAW SportCruiser are quite similar to the RV-12.

+1 to this. After getting my Sport certificate in an Evektor, it only took one lesson (1.4 hours dual received) to get checked out in a rental RV-12, which I flew for about 50 hours before giving in and buying my own. I think that if you get proficient in any low-wing Rotax-powered LSA before arriving at Van’s to pick up your plane, you’ll feel right at home in it when you get there.

[Onethorfoot]

I ordered an RV12is platinum in June of 2021 and it was completed in August 2022. I picked it up and flew it to Indiana in September 2022. I ordered another one in February of 2022 and construction just started 3 weeks ago and should be ready for delivery in August this year. For the first one the actual delivery date was several months earlier than what Van’s said it would be. In other words, they performed significantly better than they committed to. Construction on the 2nd one started several months ahead of schedule as well. As others have responded, a 2 hour training session is included but you do need to schedule it well ahead to make sure the instructor is available when you intend to pick up your airplane and you and the instructor will need to be flexible due to weather. The whole experience has been exceptional from my perspective.