We have one RV-12 and one RV-12is on leaseback to a local flight school. To try to avoid downtime, I've slowly started stocking various RV-12 and Rotax parts.
I have a couple of reasons for mentioning this.
#1 is that Van's (unfortunately) is often out of stock on things that you would think should be in-stock. I don't know if it is lower stocking levels post-bankruptcy or other issues that keep them from keeping key parts in stock. Or maybe it has always been this way. But my challenge to them is you need to up your stocking levels if you are going to support planes used in flight schools where stuff is going to get worn out or broken.
Here are some recent "out of stock" messages here on the forums:
https://vansairforce.net/threads/broken-pitot-tube-ff-01202-1-in-flight.240457/ -- Pitot tube
https://vansairforce.net/threads/rv-12a-engine-mount-cracks.235214/ -- Engine Mount... and there was another different one that probably got deleted
https://vansairforce.net/threads/landing-gear-wear-plates.240432/ -- Landing Gear Wear Plate
What I have learned recently is that the web site says "out of stock", but they sometimes do have a few in stock. Or maybe they unallocate from one of the S-LSA builds where they have just started collecting the parts? Regardless, 10% to 20% of the time I've been able to get the out of stock part if I call.
Calling is also the only way to place a backorder, since you can't do that from the web.
For things that I can wait until they come back in stock, I use a free account at https://visualping.io and set up a web page monitor to let me know when an item comes back into stock so that I can then place an order.
#2 is easier for Van's to fix. Even when stuff is in stock they sometimes take a long time to ship. To vent for a moment: I placed an order 12/18/25 where everything was in stock and it did not ship until 1/6/26. And if I need just a little thing, the $15 flat rate for < $200 encourages me to delay orders, order from other sources, etc. The shipping processing time can be helped by choosing expedited shipping, but I work in a business that ships ups 20-80 packages per day and for us it is simply unacceptable to have orders pending in shipping for more than a day unless we are communicating with the customer. That is a culture that they don't seem to share.
#3 is Rotax parts also come in and out of stock at the three distributors. Usually I can get the part if I check all three, but sometimes no one has a part that you think should be common.
The 3 USA sources are:
https://lockwood.aero/ -- Florida
https://www.advancedpowerplant.com/ -- Wisconsin
https://motive.aero/ -- Utah
Rotax non-factory (non S-LSA parts) options:
sideslipaviation.com
#4 Besides break-fix, we want 100hrs to hopefully go smoothly, and stocking parts helps the mechanics to keep moving.
To that end, I'm building out a list of things that we should keep in stock or consider keeping in stock. Attached is that spreadsheet (pdf and then excel in the zip), in case you want to do something similar.
Anyone have suggestions of other items I should consider?
#5 - I don't want to leave us short (and I don't really have that many parts), but if I have something that can get you back in the air, I am open to seeing if we can lend and then you replace.
I have a couple of reasons for mentioning this.
#1 is that Van's (unfortunately) is often out of stock on things that you would think should be in-stock. I don't know if it is lower stocking levels post-bankruptcy or other issues that keep them from keeping key parts in stock. Or maybe it has always been this way. But my challenge to them is you need to up your stocking levels if you are going to support planes used in flight schools where stuff is going to get worn out or broken.
Here are some recent "out of stock" messages here on the forums:
https://vansairforce.net/threads/broken-pitot-tube-ff-01202-1-in-flight.240457/ -- Pitot tube
https://vansairforce.net/threads/rv-12a-engine-mount-cracks.235214/ -- Engine Mount... and there was another different one that probably got deleted
https://vansairforce.net/threads/landing-gear-wear-plates.240432/ -- Landing Gear Wear Plate
What I have learned recently is that the web site says "out of stock", but they sometimes do have a few in stock. Or maybe they unallocate from one of the S-LSA builds where they have just started collecting the parts? Regardless, 10% to 20% of the time I've been able to get the out of stock part if I call.
Calling is also the only way to place a backorder, since you can't do that from the web.
For things that I can wait until they come back in stock, I use a free account at https://visualping.io and set up a web page monitor to let me know when an item comes back into stock so that I can then place an order.
#2 is easier for Van's to fix. Even when stuff is in stock they sometimes take a long time to ship. To vent for a moment: I placed an order 12/18/25 where everything was in stock and it did not ship until 1/6/26. And if I need just a little thing, the $15 flat rate for < $200 encourages me to delay orders, order from other sources, etc. The shipping processing time can be helped by choosing expedited shipping, but I work in a business that ships ups 20-80 packages per day and for us it is simply unacceptable to have orders pending in shipping for more than a day unless we are communicating with the customer. That is a culture that they don't seem to share.
#3 is Rotax parts also come in and out of stock at the three distributors. Usually I can get the part if I check all three, but sometimes no one has a part that you think should be common.
The 3 USA sources are:
https://lockwood.aero/ -- Florida
https://www.advancedpowerplant.com/ -- Wisconsin
https://motive.aero/ -- Utah
Rotax non-factory (non S-LSA parts) options:
Rotax, HKS, MZ Socket Boot Intake Vibration Isolators
Carburetor socket boots made of very high quality rubber for Rotax, Compact Radial MZ 202 and HKS engines using Bing 54 or flange boot Bing 64 or Mikuni carbs. Stainless steel exhaust springs, grommets, fuel, gaskets, vibration isolators, intake silencer boot.
jbmindustries.com
Side Slip Aviation - Parts & Supplies
Parts and supplies for Rotax 2-stroke and Rotax 4-stroke engines, Bing Carburetors & Ultralight, Experimental and Light Sport Aircraft.
sideslipaviation.com
#4 Besides break-fix, we want 100hrs to hopefully go smoothly, and stocking parts helps the mechanics to keep moving.
To that end, I'm building out a list of things that we should keep in stock or consider keeping in stock. Attached is that spreadsheet (pdf and then excel in the zip), in case you want to do something similar.
Anyone have suggestions of other items I should consider?
#5 - I don't want to leave us short (and I don't really have that many parts), but if I have something that can get you back in the air, I am open to seeing if we can lend and then you replace.
