Bill_H
Well Known Member
I was about to post this in the "500th RV" thread but I think it should be separate. I think the 12 will have more impact than Van's thinks. I am an ex-Bonanza co-owner. The 12 is not just a light-sport plane - it is an affordable (in aviation terms, cheap!), brand-new state-of-the-art responsive personal aircraft with full versatility.
At a year to build (and easy) it is a game-changer. The difference between a 900 hour build and typically 2500+ hours is a BIG DEAL DIFFERENCE. BIG! Yes it has limitations. It is not speedy like a 7-8-9-or-10, but it is faster than the Cessnas and Warriors I (and many) used to drive, cheaper to operate, and much more capable with the new avionics and autopilot. (And its not a 30 year old cosmically boring plane either.)
The folks at Van's are spoiled by their easy access to planes like the RV 7, 8, and 10. (Imagine how affordable a 2-person partnership on an RV-12 could be!) I tell you - when there are 300+ of us flying and more every week (I'm currently working on the fuel system) there will be a big difference in thought about this plane. The big magazines will be taking notice.
The 12 is fully capable as a personal traveling machine for two people. In several years of Bonanza ownership we had 4 people in it about 3 times. Game changer - wait and see. There are people building the 12 that never would have even *considered* building a 6-7-8-9 after just 10 minutes research on the amount of work involved in those.
The RV-12 market can increase - and it will if Van's pays attention to suggestions like the one by Jetguy in the 500th RV-12 thread about really targeting a larger-than-the-traditional-homebuilder market. (And making the already good instructions even better.)
For example, EVERY KIT SECTION should have its own DVD and those should be sold cheaply to prospective builders - much higher impact than a sample plans kit. Imagine seeing an expert build each section with good video of each significant step. Imagine not having to ask what you know are "dumb questions" on this forum! Target this plane at the 1st time builder and people that just need a confidence boost.
VANs needs more demo outlets than just one in Oregon and one on the East Coast. Several RV-12s should be touring the US for demo rides. They should have an 18-wheel trailer making the airport rounds containing a plane and a bunch of parts and sub-assemblies for a traveling road-show about how easy it is to build, and to offer rides. They would get lots of orders if many folks who do not go to OSH and who never seriously considered building a plane could get a really good look. You have to see and touch this thing to take the plunge.
I bet some of the others here have some better ideas too.
At a year to build (and easy) it is a game-changer. The difference between a 900 hour build and typically 2500+ hours is a BIG DEAL DIFFERENCE. BIG! Yes it has limitations. It is not speedy like a 7-8-9-or-10, but it is faster than the Cessnas and Warriors I (and many) used to drive, cheaper to operate, and much more capable with the new avionics and autopilot. (And its not a 30 year old cosmically boring plane either.)
The folks at Van's are spoiled by their easy access to planes like the RV 7, 8, and 10. (Imagine how affordable a 2-person partnership on an RV-12 could be!) I tell you - when there are 300+ of us flying and more every week (I'm currently working on the fuel system) there will be a big difference in thought about this plane. The big magazines will be taking notice.
The 12 is fully capable as a personal traveling machine for two people. In several years of Bonanza ownership we had 4 people in it about 3 times. Game changer - wait and see. There are people building the 12 that never would have even *considered* building a 6-7-8-9 after just 10 minutes research on the amount of work involved in those.
The RV-12 market can increase - and it will if Van's pays attention to suggestions like the one by Jetguy in the 500th RV-12 thread about really targeting a larger-than-the-traditional-homebuilder market. (And making the already good instructions even better.)
For example, EVERY KIT SECTION should have its own DVD and those should be sold cheaply to prospective builders - much higher impact than a sample plans kit. Imagine seeing an expert build each section with good video of each significant step. Imagine not having to ask what you know are "dumb questions" on this forum! Target this plane at the 1st time builder and people that just need a confidence boost.
VANs needs more demo outlets than just one in Oregon and one on the East Coast. Several RV-12s should be touring the US for demo rides. They should have an 18-wheel trailer making the airport rounds containing a plane and a bunch of parts and sub-assemblies for a traveling road-show about how easy it is to build, and to offer rides. They would get lots of orders if many folks who do not go to OSH and who never seriously considered building a plane could get a really good look. You have to see and touch this thing to take the plunge.
I bet some of the others here have some better ideas too.