Van's Instincts on marketability

Bob Axsom · #1 11-05-2008, 11:58 AM

I read the one page article by Van on the last page of the latest RVator (and I will read some of the rest I'm sure) and I really respect his judgement on marketing and development. His history as I observe it is one of desire to develop and fly and very hesitantly commit to market. Wise man I think. I do not think there will be a big natural market for the RV-11 but he has created one by making builders out of a significant number of pilots. I think he is starting to move very carefully in the direction of satisfying that market. From the things he wrote in the short article I sense his feeling for making excellence a reality is being pursued once again and this will be an outstanding aircraft that will draw us into soaring. The man's marketing instincts, dedication to performance and his careful methodical development are inspiring.

Bob Axsom

N941WR · #2 11-05-2008, 12:15 PM

Bob,

I've always viewed Van as an accidental business man. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting him down, quite the contrarily, I have the utmost respected for his business and engineering skills.

The reason I say this is because of the way he modified one plane, eventually ending up with the RV-3 and started selling plans. Then was pushed into making a two seat version. The RV-6 didn't come about until a customer played around with the RV-4 parts to come up with a side-by-side plane. Seeing how that performed, Van designed the RV-6. All the while this was going on, he slowly expanded his parts business, until he came to the point where he can ship nearly completed airframes around the world.

It is also my understanding, but I could be wrong, that the nose wheel and sliders were first built by customers and then adopted by Van.

Next came the RV-10, from what I have heard, he was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the four place market.

The -12 was simply good business move and may lead him into full blown aircraft construction.

What I still can't figure out is how he provides free, unlimited builder support and still makes a profit. This, in addition to continuous product improvement. That company really has it going on!

There are a lot of companies out there who could learn a lot by studying the Van's business model.

asav8tor · #3 11-05-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR

There are a lot of companies out there who could learn a lot by studying the Van's business model.

Perhaps the evolution of Van's designs is a metaphor for the success of the company. Keep fitting, designing, trial, error, thought, work, rework, day after day, week after week, year after year, decade after decade. Never settle. Keep going. Bit by bit. A true testament to perseverance.

jferraro17 · #4 11-05-2008, 12:49 PM

Discussed this over lunch today. I, for one, would probably put my -8A on hold to build an -11 if it became available. I don't think it will become available, for the very well stated reasons in this thread, until well after my -8A is finished.

That's okay, I'm willing to wait, but I will be one of the first orders.

Joe

rvbuilder2002 · #5 11-05-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR

Bob,

It is also my understanding, but I could be wrong, that the nose wheel and sliders were first built by customers and then adopted by Van.

A lot of customer ideas have been adopted by Van's over the years but tri gear on the RV-6 (about 1988) and the sliding canopy (about 1990) were both first done by Van's. The first sliding canopy to fly was built onto a customers RV-6A but the parts came from Van's.

nucleus · #6 11-05-2008, 07:31 PM

One thing, likely due to FAA regs, they don't build many planes. They build one or two of each model and that is it. Same with the staff that are builders.

My point is that the people out there who have built ten or twenty RVs actually have more knowledge about building than the factory does.

Hans

rvbuilder2002 · #7 11-05-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nucleus

One thing, likely due to FAA regs, they don't build many planes. They build one or two of each model and that is it. Same with the staff that are builders.

My point is that the people out there who have built ten or twenty RVs actually have more knowledge about building than the factory does.

Hans

Excuse me ?????

asav8tor · #8 11-05-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nucleus

One thing, likely due to FAA regs, they don't build many planes. They build one or two of each model and that is it. Same with the staff that are builders.

My point is that the people out there who have built ten or twenty RVs actually have more knowledge about building than the factory does.

Hans

Surprising statement from someone in MT.

(Art Chard territory)

mannanj · #9 11-05-2008, 07:54 PM

Van's Aircraft: (Van, Marketing, Shipping Dept. et al.)

I know of two people at my local airport who would be building the RV-11 powered sailplane now if it were available. Of course, I'm one!

Hope it comes on line before I'm too old!

N941WR · #10 11-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

A lot of customer ideas have been adopted by Van's over the years but tri gear on the RV-6 (about 1988) and the sliding canopy (about 1990) were both first done by Van's. The first sliding canopy to fly was built onto a customers RV-6A but the parts came from Van's.

Thanks for clarifying that for me. It looks like I was wrong and the urban legend is now history.