Hello,
I'm a long time website reader with a problem. I hope some of you have some advice. After talking with some people at Vans and a few others I have learned a few things that I thought I would share. Vans does not seem to want us to build these airplanes as anything but E-LSA. An accurate quote is "we will not do anything to help people build these as anything but E-LSA". They will not provide a CAD drawing for the panel (as they do with all other airplanes for which they have drawings available). Nor will they provide a POH or maintenance manual unless built as an E-LSA. I'm a bit surprised and saddened. I just spoke with a guy in the UK and he is selling his kit as he received an email detailing the above. He's crushed. It seems to me that many people think they will build these as AB-E, with factory support. FYI, I'm not bashing Vans. I have built three RVs and love their airplanes. The best out there. Unfortunately, I'm getting older and need to find an alternative to my RV-8. If anyone has heard differently please let me know. Thanks for reading. PS I had a friend read and edit this. He deleted all the emotional stuff and stuck to the facts. If I am wrong please let me know, it will actually be good news.
Bud
I'm a long time website reader with a problem. I hope some of you have some advice. After talking with some people at Vans and a few others I have learned a few things that I thought I would share. Vans does not seem to want us to build these airplanes as anything but E-LSA. An accurate quote is "we will not do anything to help people build these as anything but E-LSA". They will not provide a CAD drawing for the panel (as they do with all other airplanes for which they have drawings available). Nor will they provide a POH or maintenance manual unless built as an E-LSA. I'm a bit surprised and saddened. I just spoke with a guy in the UK and he is selling his kit as he received an email detailing the above. He's crushed. It seems to me that many people think they will build these as AB-E, with factory support. FYI, I'm not bashing Vans. I have built three RVs and love their airplanes. The best out there. Unfortunately, I'm getting older and need to find an alternative to my RV-8. If anyone has heard differently please let me know. Thanks for reading. PS I had a friend read and edit this. He deleted all the emotional stuff and stuck to the facts. If I am wrong please let me know, it will actually be good news.
Bud