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RV-15 Plans Updates

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Hi, all.

Sections 10 through 12 are in the system tonight. (Due to the data sync, they might not appear for 15-20 minutes.) More sections and revisions will be posted over the next couple of days.

We're planning to release in bundles on Fridays, and will let the "hive" know when new or updated KAIs are loaded.
 
Van's Aircraft said:
Hi, all.

Sections 10 through 12 are in the system tonight. (Due to the data sync, they might not appear for 15-20 minutes.) More sections and revisions will be posted over the next couple of days.

We're planning to release in bundles on Fridays, and will let the "hive" know when new or updated KAIs are loaded.
Click to expand...

Great, Thank you. How are you going to indicate whether a particularly section has a revision or not?
 
Jetmart said:
Great, Thank you. How are you going to indicate whether a particularly section has a revision or not?
Click to expand...
We've updated the fields in the KAI page for builders to show the revision number and date. Note that the revisions may have one date on the plans themselves but be posted later once they've cleared QC and final review.
 
I'd like to see a function where the builder can enter the Shipping Date for a particular kit so s/he can be shown the KAI that was current as of that date, and be given options for pursing subsequent changes if any are applicable. (even better, since the builder identity is already known by the system it could do that by itself).

Less desirable would be the ability to see that the current plans do not match your Shipping Date but the system lets you walk backwards through the revisions until you find the one that matches the state of your kit.
 
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Van's Aircraft said:
Hi, all.

Sections 10 through 12 are in the system tonight. (Due to the data sync, they might not appear for 15-20 minutes.) More sections and revisions will be posted over the next couple of days.

We're planning to release in bundles on Fridays, and will let the "hive" know when new or updated KAIs are loaded.
Click to expand...
Sections 1-4 and a 3-view drawing would be helpful for longer term planning. Are those coming?
 
Van's Aircraft said:
We've updated the fields in the KAI page for builders to show the revision number and date. Note that the revisions may have one date on the plans themselves but be posted later once they've cleared QC and final review.
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Is there a Change Notice somewhere? I see the revision number and date on the KAI page, but I can’t tell what changed without comparing every page. Thx

Edit: Section 26 is an example of the note above about the date not matching the plans themselves. Look inside Section 26 and every page is Revision 1 on 1/5/26, but the KAI is Revision 2 @ 1/7/26. Did anything actually change in the revision? If so, where do we find the change.
 

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I'm sure this was answered somewhere, but I'm not seeing it. Do the plans come printed with the kit? or just download and print yourself?
 
Jkalpine said:
I'm sure this was answered somewhere, but I'm not seeing it. Do the plans come printed with the kit? or just download and print yourself?
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You'll have access to download them from the "My Aircraft" section of the online store account when you log in.
 
543TB said:
You'll have access to download them from the "My Aircraft" section of the online store account when you log in.
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I did see the download, just wanted to make sure I wasn't spending the money / effort to print it if it was coming with the shipment. Also, each section is its own download. Would be nice to have a single ZIP to download the full plans so someone doesn't accidentally skip a section when downloading to print.
 
Jkalpine said:
I did see the download, just wanted to make sure I wasn't spending the money / effort to print it if it was coming with the shipment.
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I have found as well as others that printing them in black and white on 8.5 X 11 is sufficient to see all details. Each page is relatively uncluttered and they are only 2 colors.
 
This may have been already said but since we are in the front of the herd plans revisions are a constant thing of the present. My plan is print a home review copy as they come out initially at R0 and then reprint whatever version exists at the time I do the work. These latter ones get signed and go into the builder log binders which also documents the version everything is built to.
 
So it's been about a month since the latest dated plans were published. What's the usual turn-around time to publish the updates? I know the early builders have sent in quite a few changes and corrections. I'm already planning on VAF/Builder Logs/YouTube/Plans/Wiki/WAG's/TLAR's/Etc. as information sources for the build. Even if the plans were perfect I'd still use most of those. Part of the fun!
 
flymore said:
So it's been about a month since the latest dated plans were published. What's the usual turn-around time to publish the updates? I know the early builders have sent in quite a few changes and corrections. I'm already planning on VAF/Builder Logs/YouTube/Plans/Wiki/WAG's/TLAR's/Etc. as information sources for the build. Even if the plans were perfect I'd still use most of those. Part of the fun!
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Looks like a few of the plans sections are already on Rev 2. Seems to be happening pretty fast.
 
Update on how Vans will handle changes in the future just came out through email from [email protected]. It says:


Dear RV-15 Builder:
RV-15 wing kits continue to move out of our warehouse and into eagerly waiting hands, so the builder community is growing steadily. It’s gratifying to see many of these wing kits come together very quickly.

We’d like to take this opportunity to communicate changes to the kits themselves and to their documentation to prevent surprises on your end.

We’ll start with the Kit Assembly Instructions. In this early phase of production, we have been updating, releasing and publishing new KAIs at a rapid rate, and initially we are making builders aware of these via a mailing similar to this. The latest KAIs will always be available to you on your Van’s Webstore account. (Log in, go to “My Aircraft” and then click on Download Kit Plans.)

Over the next several weeks, we’ll switch over to more formal Change Notices, which we typically use for other Van’s RV kits and for our production RV-12iS. Everyone with an active RV-15 order is automatically added to this service. (If you’re new to us, you can see how it works here.)

Those of you building the wing tanks on your own will find the applicable KAI sections uploaded with the newest batch.

We can’t stress this enough: KAI changes are happening rapidly, so it’s vitally important to watch for updates like this and to check into your My Aircraft section of the webstore to ensure you’re working from the latest instructions.

As for the kits themselves, we’re in the process of fulfilling backordered parts to early kit deliveries, and that should be completed soon.

Incidentally, we’ll be uploading blank packing lists to aid you in doing your initial kit inventory. These documents will be clearly identified on the Download Kit Plans page.
We are also updating the Kit Status Portal at least once a week as the schedule gains better focus for near-term deliveries. If you expect your RV-15 wing kit soon, please check the portal to verify you have the latest information. Notifications are emailed when major changes are made to data in the portal.
Finally, while early packing lists showed tank sealant coming with the kit and some kits were delivered with the material, sealant will not be provided with the kits. As with previous RV kits, builders will need to source their own sealant principally because this is a perishable product and needs to be used before its use-by date.
That’s it for this update. As always, we appreciate your business and are genuinely happy to have you as part of the Van’s RV community.
 
I hope there is some notation of what the changes are; on my -8 plans, there is a note in the bottom R corner showing the revision number with a short notation of what was changed.

I am making a note on the front page of when I printed each section; some sections I have completed part way so if a revision comes out before the section is done knowing what the change is and if it is relevant would be very helpful.
 
TShort said:
I hope there is some notation of what the changes are; on my -8 plans, there is a note in the bottom R corner showing the revision number with a short notation of what was changed.

I am making a note on the front page of when I printed each section; some sections I have completed part way so if a revision comes out before the section is done knowing what the change is and if it is relevant would be very helpful.
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Just looked at section 22 R2 and did not see any notes as to what the changes are other than noting the revision number in the bottom right.
 
Louise Hose said:
Update on how Vans will handle changes in the future just came out through email from [email protected]. It says:


Dear RV-15 Builder:
\\\\

Finally, while early packing lists showed tank sealant coming with the kit and some kits were delivered with the material, sealant will not be provided with the kits. As with previous RV kits, builders will need to source their own sealant principally because this is a perishable product and needs to be used before its use-by date.
That’s it for this update. As always, we appreciate your business and are genuinely happy to have you as part of the Van’s RV community.
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So, I have some heartburn with this last paragraph. There are a few of us who like to build... everything. I wanted to build my tanks because I will have greater confidence in them. Because I have seen a lot of water damaged fuel tanks over the years I will be acid etching and alodining my tank parts since there is no other way to protect them. Because I actually enjoy working with polysulfide sealants, doing it well is very gratifying. I was also in favor of this option because Vans said they were including the sealant in the slow-build kit. Since we only save $500 by slow building this is almost wiped out by now having to buy the sealant. So for those of us going down this rabbit hole this policy change becomes a bait and switch when they unilaterally apply it. As well, the excuse given that it is a perishable product is also disingenuous because I'm am certain the first thing I will do after inventory will be to build the wing tanks, which will happen long before the sealant expires, assuming it arrives with some reasonable life span left.

My recommendation as the ethical thing to do, is to honor the deal they made for those of us in the queue before this policy change. Anyone buying into the slow build option after yesterday will be effected by the new policy and will know that going into it.
 
Alphalpha said:
So, I have some heartburn with this last paragraph. There are a few of us who like to build... everything. I wanted to build my tanks because I will have greater confidence in them. Because I have seen a lot of water damaged fuel tanks over the years I will be acid etching and alodining my tank parts since there is no other way to protect them. Because I actually enjoy working with polysulfide sealants, doing it well is very gratifying. I was also in favor of this option because Vans said they were including the sealant in the slow-build kit. Since we only save $500 by slow building this is almost wiped out by now having to buy the sealant. So for those of us going down this rabbit hole this policy change becomes a bait and switch when they unilaterally apply it. As well, the excuse given that it is a perishable product is also disingenuous because I'm am certain the first thing I will do after inventory will be to build the wing tanks, which will happen long before the sealant expires, assuming it arrives with some reasonable life span left.

My recommendation as the ethical thing to do, is to honor the deal they made for those of us in the queue before this policy change. Anyone buying into the slow build option after yesterday will be effected by the new policy and will know that going into it.
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Van’s is making out like a bandit with those of us who chose slow build tanks. And now they are reneging on providing proseal. I’m not happy but I wish I could say I’m surprised.
 
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