Van's insight

[N941WR]

The Van?s dinner at SnF was interesting, mostly because it gave us some insight into the company and their direction.

Here is what I picked up at the dinner and talking to him the next day in their tent.

- They have sold a bunch of RV-8?s (Sorry, I can?t remember the number)
- RV-7 kits sold ~ 3,000
- RV-9 kits sold ~ 1,500
- RV-10 kits sold ~ 500
- They also mentioned the number of -3 and -4 kits but I was mostly interested in the later models.

Van?s is very happy with the sales numbers and the quantity of -10 kits sold has surprised them.

RV-9 sales have been a bit of a disappointment to Van, if only because he appreciates low powered, efficient aircraft and doesn?t really understand the desire for more HP. I guess that is the engineer in him coming out.

When you look at those numbers and realize that the -7 is older than the -9 and the completion rate of 288 for the -7 is 10% and 206 for the -9 or 14%. What?s up with that? It is not like the -9 is any easier to build. Van?s did not elaborate on this. In fact, they didn?t even mention percentages. We were just talking about them on the ride home.

When asked if the -9 sales were a disappointment he said yes. When asked why people buy the -7 over the -9, he thought about it and replied that the -7 is just as easy to fly as the -9 and the owner can do acrobatics, if they wish.

I have paraphrased Van's replies, so please don?t use them as an exact quote.

[McFly]

When you look at those numbers and realize that the -7 is older than the -9 and the completion rate of 288 for the -7 is 1% and 206 for the -9 or 14%. What?s up with that? It is not like the -9 is any easier to build. Van?s did not elaborate on this. In fact, they didn?t even mention percentages. We were just talking about them on the ride home.

Bill interesting post but I believe that the 9 was introduced first. Blue skies.

[Pirkka]

Originally Posted by N941WR

When you look at those numbers and realize that the -7 is older than the -9

Hmm... I tought that the -9 was out before -7. And as they first tried -7 with rudder or -6 and finally ended up using larger -9's rudder for it.

However, -7 seems to be selling pretty well and this economy-thinking doesn't seem to bother their builders.

[cjensen]

also, you missed a number on the percentage of completions for the -7, it's closer to 10% (9.6% to be exact using the provided numbers). it's still lower than the -9 though.

[Sam Buchanan]

Here is what I picked up at the dinner and talking to him the next day in their tent.

- They have sold a bunch of RV-8?s (Sorry, I can?t remember the number)
- RV-7 kits sold ~ 3,000
- RV-9 kits sold ~ 1,500
- RV-10 kits sold ~ 500
- They also mentioned the number of -3 and -4 kits but I was mostly interested in the later models.

Uh......wasn't there an RV-6/6A at one time? Ya know, the model that has the highest number of kits sold???

Sorry, couldn't resist.

The success of Van's little foray into kit aircraft manfacturing is indeed remarkable...and unprecedented.

Sam Buchanan (RV-6 Classic, the one with the small tail, one of many thousands of RV-6/6A kits sold)

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Pirkka

Hmm... I tought that the -9 was out before -7. And as they first tried -7 with rudder or -6 and finally ended up using larger -9's rudder for it.

However, -7 seems to be selling pretty well and this economy-thinking doesn't seem to bother their builders.

Hmmm...
You are right, I'm mistaken. It is true, you can?t trust everything you read on the web.

I remember finding it odd that the sequence was -8, -9, and then the -7.

I guess the -6 was still selling very well and Van was in no hurry to replace it.

Unfortunately I don't remember the number of -6 kits sold, I'm sure it was high, very high. I suspect the completion rate is much lower. I know there is at least one -6 kit that will never be completed because I sold mine to a guy who was going to put the tail parts on his -6 fuselage.

PS. I corrected the typo on the -7 percentage.

[Chofrock]

I just looked on the Hobbs meter, and it lists 30 RV-10s flying. Can that be true?

http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/flights.htm

(there should be a sold meter too)

[keen9a]

At least by my memory, and the registration dates of the prototypes the RV-7 was first; RV-7 N137RV in 2001, RV-9 N179RV in 2002.

Again from my memory, the RV-7 started out with the RV-6 rudder, and there are some out there flying that way. There must be a nice history out there somewhere.

While I'm at it, Van's description of the RV-9/9A says: " The RV-9/9A is designed to be an easy-to-fly, economical, versatile sportplane.That?s not too surprising, since all previous Van?s airplanes, including the the RV-4, RV-6, RV-7, and RV-8 are versatile, economical sportplanes, too."

[Bob Axsom]

Ken Knowles and I built RV-6A's. His was a later model and it had a larger Vertical Stab and rudder with the aerodynamic balance horn very different from mine.

Bob Axsom

[Sam Buchanan]

Unfortunately I don't remember the number of -6 kits sold, I'm sure it was high, very high. I suspect the completion rate is much lower. I know there is at least one -6 kit that will never be completed because I sold mine to a guy who was going to put the tail parts on his -6 fuselage.

Think I recall hearing in one of Van's S-N-F forums in a previous year that the number of RV-6/6A starts was ~5000. I need to go back and poke around in some old notes to see if that number can be verified.

Whatever the actual number, a ton of 'em have gone out Vans's door, and it looks like the newer models will eventually meet/exceed the -6 numbers.

I suspect the RV-12 will be a runaway success as well......no medical....auto gas......faster than a C172.......bring it on!

Sam Buchanan