Van's RV-15 (Next thing coming?)

[John Owen]

My vote is for a 200-210 kt. something. That is where the market is lacking. Keep it simple but fast and still handles like a RV.

My $0.02
John

[Jimbot]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

The only hole in Van's lineup that has enough market potential is a STOL something or other. 2 seats ala Rans or 4 seats ala Bearhawk if they want to go that way.

I continue to think they will update their manuals and streamline the panel building process for the existing aircraft (-7 through -10)

I agree with Kyle. Giving the current popular models such as the 7, 8 and 9 a modern makeover with updated manuals and build techniques a la the 10 and 14 makes the most sense to me.

I could also see a first high wing RV model (i.e. the RANS) in the offering as well as the STOL/high wing segment is clearly popular.

[BCP Boys]

Although the Rans S-21 has been very popular, if Vans came out with something similar, high wing - STOL - Lands/Take off around 35 and cruises at 135 or higher, it would absolutely eat up the Rans market. Why you ask? Vans documentations, diagrams, instructions, etc. are leaps and bounds better that?s Rans. Rans has a great concept but their directions/instructions look like a 5th grader put it tougher and support... well Randy is Randy, short and sometimes not really to the point. I don?t normally bad mouth any company, this is really to highlight how great Vans is when comparing to another kit company.

[E. D. Eliot]

I'd bet a few dollars that the skunk works at Van's is at least thinking about something that will fit the 'new' LSA rules. Maybe a high wing trainer with IFR capabilities on Rotax 912iS or 915iS power. This AC will be engineered so that it can do aerobatics, land and take off short, and mount a Lycoming 360 or so for those who want to cruise at 150K. Problem is that no one knows when the new LSA rules will be released. Of course there would have to be two versions in order to accommodate the weight of the larger Lycoming.

[Warrior's Lance]

Originally Posted by E. D. Eliot

I'd bet a few dollars that the skunk works at Van's is at least thinking about something that will fit the 'new' LSA rules. Maybe a high wing trainer with IFR capabilities on Rotax 912iS or 915iS power. This AC will be engineered so that it can do aerobatics, land and take off short, and mount a Lycoming 360 or so for those who want to cruise at 150K. Problem is that no one knows when the new LSA rules will be released. Of course there would have to be two versions in order to accommodate the weight of the larger Lycoming.

The new LSA rules are to include a 4 place airplane and there is to be some sort of "power index" to limit the amount of energy involved instead of the speed and weight spec of today. The new rules started development in 2017 and must be in place by some time in 2023, so we all get to wait while the bureaucratic wheels slowly creep to the finish line.

I would guess that Van's is extremely interested in these new rules and is maybe even involved in influencing them. I think they will design a 4 place ELSA airplane to these rules, and possibly offer a SLSA factory built version like they are doing with the RV-12iS. It is my hope that some configuration of the current RV-9 (tailwheel) becomes certifiable as ELSA by these new rules. Again, we wait ....

Lance

[n6233u]

Let's face it, Van's has always stuck with what they do best - excellent handling low wing designs. Why would they venture into high wings when the market is fairly saturated and the favorites in the market are tube & fabric? Van's is a medium sized successful company, and much like a large ship on the ocean, you cannot change direction easily or successfully, so high wing aircraft is not a good idea for them.

The best plan is to improve on the breed, possibly a STOL version of the RV-9 or a larger match hole punched version of the RV8 that can share RV-14 parts.

[Pilot135pd]

I want to build my next plane and the only reason I'm looking at the Ran's S-21 is because I'm not a good fabricator but I know how to put things together.

If Van's updates their planes to something like that then I'd be building a new RV-8 this month while I keep flying my current one.

[DeltaRomeo]

Originally Posted by n6233u

snip..... Why would they venture into high wings when the market is fairly saturated and the favorites in the market are tube & fabric? ....snip

Why would computer company Apple ever want to venture into the cellular phone market in 2007 when there were already nearly 60 cell phones already available by 2006? Because they had a loyal following and they knew their customers wanted the 'Apple Feel' that they got from their computer on their phone.

Sound familiar? ;^) Some of us crave Van's-like 'Total Performance' in a Cub-like plane to compliment what we already have in our low wing RV.

Fast forward to 2019.... Apple made 49% of the phones sold. Source: https://www.counterpointresearch.com...rtphone-share/

And in 2019 iPhones accounted for 54.7% of Apple's revenue stream. Source: https://www.investopedia.com/apple-s...siness-4684130

I hear what you're saying about the -9, but you can't clear bushes during T/O and Lndg with a low wing.

Van's would, IMHO, instantly dominate the high wing STOL market.

My .02

v/r,dr

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by DeltaRomeo

...
Sound familiar? ;^) Some of us crave Van's-like 'Total Performance' in a Cub-like plane to compliment what we already have in our low wing RV.
...

Come on Doug, help Jay and I out!

Some of us crave a 170/172 2+2 type airplane because the Cub-a-Like field is already full.

[DeltaRomeo]

Originally Posted by N941WR

Come on Doug, help Jay and I out!

Some of us crave a 170/172 2+2 type airplane because the Cub-a-Like field is already full.

LOL.

I'd prefer a Cub-like Van's a/c, but I'd be happy with ANY high wing STOL Van's a/c that I could fly in the hot summer with the windows open in the shade.

;^)