Van's Aircraft is an American kit aircraft manufacturer, founded by Richard "Van" VanGrunsven in 1973.
Van's RV series of aircraft, from the single seat RV-3 to the latest RV-12, are all-aluminum, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction. The RV series of airplanes has been extremely successful, with 7,497 flying as of December 2011[1], making the series one of the most numerous of all homebuilt aircraft. They feature responsive controls plus both good speed and fuel economy.[2][3][4]
Van's factory is located at Aurora State Airport, Oregon. This airport is the location of an annual fly-in for Van's aircraft owners.[4]
[edit] Regulatory status
RVs are deemed Experimental - amateur-builts by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States and are accepted under the corresponding category by the aviation authorities in many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. A modified version of the RV-6 was sold to the Nigerian government as a kit-assembled military trainer.
The RV-12 is an experimental light-sport aircraft.
[edit] RV aircraft series
- RV-1: Single example of a Stits SA-3 Playboy modified with a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming engine and a custom wing
- RV-2: wooden flying wing sailplane prototype that was never completed[5]
- RV-3: single seat[5]
- RV-4: two seats, tandem, bubble canopy[5]
- RV-5: A small metal single seat prototype that was flown with a two-stroke engine[5]
- RV-6: two seats, side-by-side[5]
- RV-7: improved RV-6, with longer wingspan and larger rudder[5]
- RV-8: improved RV-4, with larger cockpit[5]
- RV-9: two seats, side-by-side; larger wing and more docile handling qualities[5]
- RV-10: four seats, tricycle gear only[5]
- RV-11: single seat, motorglider; under development
- RV-12: two seats, side-by-side Light Sport Aircraft.[6]
[edit] Gallery
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
|
|
| General |
|
|
| Military |
|
|
| Accidents/incidents |
|
|
| Records |
|
|
