E. D. Eliot
Well Known Member
My bride and I visited Van's yesterday. I have the following to report:
A. We were shown the factory set-up and Tour Guide Gus told us that one of the machines that we were watching was producing empennage parts for the RV-12! I guess that those of you who are waiting for those parts may be hearing from Van's fairly soon. This is pure speculation on my part - not breaking news from Van's
B. Spin testing is complete with great results. I accepted that and asked no more about it.
C. Flew the red 12. I am a very low time pilot so maybe I'm easy to impress but I found this aircraft to be awesome. Visibility in all directions is practically unlimited - aircraft handling is so easy - we did both full flap and departure stall attempts and this aircraft did not want to stall - just kind of mushed along with the stall warning device making noise. It flies like it's on tracks - doesn't wander off in any axis. Joe mentioned that it is fairly slippery (he demonstrrated a full flap side slip) in order to correct for my high and fast pattern!!! Awesome. Landing was almost too easy - again, awesome!!! He touched down about 38 knots. The engine was smooth and quick to respond to pilot input. I am becoming a believer but would still like to spend my money on an American made engine if possible - (it isn't). Lots of room inside. I like the Dynon products and factory support so I'm happy that Van's chose Dynon. I asked about each of the switches on the panel - (light, autopilot, etc) and was told that these will most likely be offered as 'options'. Also, wheel pants will likely be offered as 'options'.
D. I asked if anyone is thinking about selling a trailer kit for the 12. Gus said that they had 'kicked it around a little bit but it was his guess that 'some interprising individual will probable beat us to selling a trailer kit'. I told him that I would like to purchase an unfinished trailer kit (frame, lights, already licensed, etc) in Oregon and then haul my complete RV-12 home on that trailer. I could finish the trailer (exterior - pulled rivets, prepunched aluminum sides, etc) prior to starting on the aircraft kit. Gus expressed the thought that they (Van's) had thought of just that scenereo).
Overall, I am pumped about the prospect of building, owning, and flying my own RV-12. Thanks to Van's this will happen in a year or two!!!
A. We were shown the factory set-up and Tour Guide Gus told us that one of the machines that we were watching was producing empennage parts for the RV-12! I guess that those of you who are waiting for those parts may be hearing from Van's fairly soon. This is pure speculation on my part - not breaking news from Van's
B. Spin testing is complete with great results. I accepted that and asked no more about it.
C. Flew the red 12. I am a very low time pilot so maybe I'm easy to impress but I found this aircraft to be awesome. Visibility in all directions is practically unlimited - aircraft handling is so easy - we did both full flap and departure stall attempts and this aircraft did not want to stall - just kind of mushed along with the stall warning device making noise. It flies like it's on tracks - doesn't wander off in any axis. Joe mentioned that it is fairly slippery (he demonstrrated a full flap side slip) in order to correct for my high and fast pattern!!! Awesome. Landing was almost too easy - again, awesome!!! He touched down about 38 knots. The engine was smooth and quick to respond to pilot input. I am becoming a believer but would still like to spend my money on an American made engine if possible - (it isn't). Lots of room inside. I like the Dynon products and factory support so I'm happy that Van's chose Dynon. I asked about each of the switches on the panel - (light, autopilot, etc) and was told that these will most likely be offered as 'options'. Also, wheel pants will likely be offered as 'options'.
D. I asked if anyone is thinking about selling a trailer kit for the 12. Gus said that they had 'kicked it around a little bit but it was his guess that 'some interprising individual will probable beat us to selling a trailer kit'. I told him that I would like to purchase an unfinished trailer kit (frame, lights, already licensed, etc) in Oregon and then haul my complete RV-12 home on that trailer. I could finish the trailer (exterior - pulled rivets, prepunched aluminum sides, etc) prior to starting on the aircraft kit. Gus expressed the thought that they (Van's) had thought of just that scenereo).
Overall, I am pumped about the prospect of building, owning, and flying my own RV-12. Thanks to Van's this will happen in a year or two!!!
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