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RV-10 Front Seats

rvbuilder2002 said:
If you research what Oregon Aero has said for many years regarding the safety of their seat design, you will find that they said the seat structure itself was designed to have near zero vertical energy absorption. The reason being that it is impossible to prevent the rebound of that energy back into the spine of the occupant, with this type of seat. The dissipation of the energy is done with proper design of the foam cushion system, using foam that can take an instantaneous compression under load, and then be highly resistant to rebounding that energy.
So with a proper cushion design, a very stiff seat bottom is actually desirable, to assure no deflection (absorption of energy) that will then be released in the opposite direction.
Oregon Aeros claim was that their fabric seat bottom was specifically engineered to have very low deflection under crash load.

BTW, my understanding of why an in house seat solution was designed is that it had been a struggle for many years to get Oregon Aero to deliver seats, and when they did the cost was constantly going up.
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I presume that the cost of the seat has more to do with liability insurance than materials and labor, but maybe I'm wrong.
 
Has anyone gotten their RV-10 front seats this year??

I ordered my finish kit February 2022, the kit was delivered May 2023. May 2024 I was told I was #47 on the list to get the seats. Over the last week I sent two notes to Van’s to get an update. No response.

The lack of seats is quickly becoming the barrier to first flight.

Carl
 
My seats finally arrived last week (frames only, the seat foams are on backorder). I ordered my finish kit on 8/31/2021.
 
Anyone have updates? Recent finish kit deliveries have the new seat frames, yet those of us who have been on back order for years are still waiting…

Seat foam is still back ordered to be drop shipped direct.
 
flywithayres said:
Anyone have updates? Recent finish kit deliveries have the new seat frames, yet those of us who have been on back order for years are still waiting…

Seat foam is still back ordered to be drop shipped direct.
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Got a note from Van’s shipping Thursday. My seats and foam are scheduled to be shipped 11/21/24. Finish kit ordered February 2022.

Carl
 
I ordered February 2022. Just called and was told they expect to ship in January 2025.

I have 1 set of rails (off topic?). I'm hoping the other set will ship with the seats.

Cheers!
Mike

UPDATE:

Kit arrived this evening!
 
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Any updates out there on seat arrivals. I'm in the same group ordered Jan 22 haven't heard anything from Vans
 
As a point of reference, I ordered the RV10 Finish kit August 2021 and received it sans seats Feb 2023. The frames arrived September 9, and cushions by mid October this year.

Chuck
 
Skyflyer said:
As a point of reference, I ordered the RV10 Finish kit August 2021 and received it sans seats Feb 2023. The frames arrived September 9, and cushions by mid October this year.

Chuck
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Thanks Chuck! Are the seat frames complete or do they require assembly?
 
I'm traveling and missed an earlier email on the 21st. My seats are arriving late this afternoon. A friend will get them into the garage. I'll update once I see what's in there.
 
Returning home tonight I got a quick look at my RV 10 seats that arrived Friday. The invoice description stated 10 Front Seat Kit Pilot and Copilot Seats and Cushions. I'm still short the rear cushions but have a credit left that will cover them. As Chuck said, must be assembled. They come with a "small" set of plans Section 49-01 - 49-06. I immediately went to my account to see if they are available in digital format, but they are not. On initial review the quality of the parts is very good. I'll update once I have the time to start building them with some pictures.
 
Rockyjs said:
Returning home tonight I got a quick look at my RV 10 seats that arrived Friday. The invoice description stated 10 Front Seat Kit Pilot and Copilot Seats and Cushions. I'm still short the rear cushions but have a credit left that will cover them. As Chuck said, must be assembled. They come with a "small" set of plans Section 49-01 - 49-06. I immediately went to my account to see if they are available in digital format, but they are not. On initial review the quality of the parts is very good. I'll update once I have the time to start building them with some pictures.
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I'm pretty sure rear cushions are NOT included. You can order separately. Screenshot 2024-12-02 215113.jpg
 
I received a UPS shipping note that my seats (finish kit ordered Feb 2022) will arrive the first week on Jan (2025). So one month short of three years (the same wait I had for my engine).

I note with irritation that a nearby builder who ordered his finish kit Feb 2023 received the kit, with seats, last month.

Carl
 
Front seat kits and nose gear arrived via UPS last night. Very impressed with the level of thought and engineering that went in to these front seat kits. Finish kit order date of 01/18/2022. Thanks Anne at Vans. Abby/Flightline has my foam I think and will have her do the seats. I am still impressed with the quality of her seats on the RV12.

Anyone heard from the Thunderbolt shop lately? ;)
 
Front seats arrived a couple days before New Years. I had Abby at Flight Line just keep the padding to make the seat covers (she makes them for Van’s so no need to ship to Van’s then Van’s ships to me then I ship back to Abby).

The invoice price was $7150 (I did not pay this as these were a Finish Kit back order from three years ago). If you apply $500 of that price to foam, then the seat frame and such would be $6650. Looking over the seat kit I would estimate (on the very high end) no more than $1000 of material in the kit.

I’m hopeful that the actual customer cost when ordering the seats in the finish kit is much lower, but shoot fire…..

Carl
 
Another fresh data point for folks - received my front seat kit and cushions Monday, Jan 13, 2025. Originally ordered/deposit sent on Feb 7, 2022. Most of the finish kit received June, 2023. Here’s hoping the entire seat backlog gets cleared out this spring.
 
edharris said:
Another fresh data point for folks - received my front seat kit and cushions Monday, Jan 13, 2025. Originally ordered/deposit sent on Feb 7, 2022. Most of the finish kit received June, 2023. Here’s hoping the entire seat backlog gets cleared out this spring.
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Thanks for the update. That’s encouraging for me as I am a July ‘23 delivery. 🤞
 
edharris said:
Another fresh data point for folks - received my front seat kit and cushions Monday, Jan 13, 2025. Originally ordered/deposit sent on Feb 7, 2022. Most of the finish kit received June, 2023. Here’s hoping the entire seat backlog gets cleared out this spring.
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Is there prior notification that the seats are on the way, or do they just show up? I'm in the same order time frame, but haven't heard anything from VANS.
 
Just got a voicemail from Josh Goldsmith, Customer Service Manager at Vans. There is an issue with the front seats. A manufacturing machine that bends the square tubing for the front seats is inoperative. They have no idea when it will be back online. They may have considered other vendors but have not made a decision yet. Vans is unable to give anyone an ETA for delivery of the front seats. I was told I was 52 on the list. I know #47 got his seat. The wings are complete on a rack, and once I get them installed I will be AOG awaiting seats. Disappointing, to say the least.
 
I just received my finishing kit minus the front seats. Will start on it soon. But also found out my engine is Nov 2026 so hopefully I’ll have seats by then!
 
Loneshark06 said:
Just got a voicemail from Josh Goldsmith, Customer Service Manager at Vans. There is an issue with the front seats. A manufacturing machine that bends the square tubing for the front seats is inoperative. They have no idea when it will be back online. They may have considered other vendors but have not made a decision yet. Vans is unable to give anyone an ETA for delivery of the front seats. I was told I was 52 on the list. I know #47 got his seat. The wings are complete on a rack, and once I get them installed I will be AOG awaiting seats. Disappointing, to say the least.
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A square tubing bender is $1200. Not something that should be holding up production of a $12,000 part.
 
Carl Froehlich said:
I ordered my Finish Kit February 2022. It got shipped May 2023. The front seats were not sent, listed as Back Ordered.

Has anyone received the front seats this year (2023)? Van's is not responding to my emails asking for status.

If you are also waiting, how long since your Finish Kit arrived?

Carl
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My finishing kit arrived this january and seats still backordered
 
I just received this email:

We wanted to provide you with an important update on your back-ordered RV-10 seat sets. While the supply chain disruptions that impacted production have now been resolved, we unfortunately experienced a scheduling setback. As a result, we now expect to ship your seat sets by June 4th.

We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work to fulfill your backorder.
 
kirkbauer said:
I just received this email:

We wanted to provide you with an important update on your back-ordered RV-10 seat sets. While the supply chain disruptions that impacted production have now been resolved, we unfortunately experienced a scheduling setback. As a result, we now expect to ship your seat sets by June 4th.

We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work to fulfill your backorder.
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Received the same email.
 
It has been over a year since the finish kit, minus seats, was delivered. Crickets from Vans. Clearly customer service has been a casualty of the bankruptcy.
 
I just got a call (voicemail) from Jason to confirm I have not yet received mine. He indicated stock was available for back orders. July ‘23 finish kit delivery. I hope to see them soon.
 
I picked up my backordered front seat kit from Van's today. Finish kit was originally picked up in March 2024.

Happy to not have anymore kit items on backorder!
 
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