Vans Skunkworks

dicel87 · Post by **dicel87** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:27 am

Now that Vans has the RV10 as its newest addition, anyone care to speculate as to what sort of kit we might see next from Vans?

A new model entirely or just some improvements to the existing ones?

I think he was working on a sail plane over this past year but I dont see anything about it on the web site.

Scott

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:12 am

Yah, the RV-11 is a motorglider. Van is a glider buff at heart. Powered flight doesn't tickle his fancy anymore, so he figured that he would build one of these motorglider things. Not my cup of tea... but whatever. I am sure it will be a hot plane out there on the left coast. Lotsa those types in So Cal.

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:55 am

Hmm, I have a feeling that the "RV-11" most likely wont come to production. I also would guess that Van isnt far from retiring. It might be a while before we see anything new out of there.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:46 pm

Good call. The RV-11 may very well be a retirement toy for Van himself. Maybe that is why it has been pulled from the web pages. A great way to write off R&D costs for yourself, though!

Soooo, I am sure we won't be orphaned... but should Van retire what is to become of the company? Any specualtion there? A buyout/selloff? to whom? There are so many builders, I personally am not concerned with ongoing supply line/knowlege base issues. One can only specualte?

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 1:07 pm

My guess would be that he would retain ownership in some form or another but step down in the day to day operations. I think keeping the company true to his name will be of interest but without that much involvement.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:34 pm

...found the 411 on the RV11:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-11int.htm

CJ