RV5?

dicel87 · Post by **dicel87** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 8:42 pm

Anyone hear about a potential LSA from Vans? Saw a web page recently where they talked about upcoming issues of the RVator highlighting the development of this.

Post by **Spike** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:43 pm

Im looking forward to seeing what the RVator has to say about it. Last year at Osh Dick wasnt sure the market would justify the development cost. I wonder what changed their minds.

arffguy · Post by **arffguy** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 11:53 pm

The RV-5 was a one-off single engine airplane. It was flown for some time then taken out of service. It was not very large and had a single seat as I recall. The remains of it were at the Sunset Airport hangar in 1996 when I was last there. That is why there is seemingly a skip from RV-4 to RV-6. Any LSA that Van makes would probably be the RV-11 motorglider or higher. Unless of course he decides to reuse the -5 number. Frankly I worry that Van may spread his company too thin with so many models. I don't think he needs to bother making a LSA.

Post by **Spike** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:14 am

I dont think they would be spreading themselves too thin. What I do see though is a few of his very talented engineers getting bored by not designing anything. I think if anything its good for his guys to keep their head in the game.

-- John

dicel87 · Post by **dicel87** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:41 am

I think Van would be crazy not to tap into the potential of the Sport Pilot option. But there is a good point that was made here about Vans spreading his business too thin. So here is my take.

I think he has done the initial marketplace survey and thinks there is a sufficient demand. They should develop the new plane and see what the reception by the marketplace is...if the demand is there, then drop the RV3, RV4, and RV6. And voila.....business not spread too thin.

I think Van will see the opportunity thats on the horizon for several reasons:

Vans is a known quantity. They produce arguably the best kit planes around, using state of the art machinery and have a great reputation for good customer support. They have been in business for many years and show no signs of slowing down. People trust a Vans product.

The RV community is very large and very devoted. A former RV4/6/8 etc.. driver can now continue flying (with certain limits) after they can no longer retain a regular medical with this program. All they need to do is find a plane that is within the specs of the LSA limits. (Yes there seems to be a catch 22 with having the medical revoked or denied and still being able to get the LSA ticket but the FAA and EAA are working that.) If that plane is made by Vans, then odds are that pilot will purchase one to be able to keep flying.

Paying from $6K-8K to train for a regular PPL is a good chunk of change if all I really want to do is be a day VFR pilot and go puddle jumping around my area locally. The Sport Pilot requirements are in the neighborhood of probably $3-4K. I've talked to many folks who think this will produce many more unsafe pilots because of the fewer numbers of hours spent in training. However, they miss the point that the additional hours in the PPL syllabus teaches the things that LSA piliots cant exercise such as night flying, constant speed props, etc...

I'm not a businessman, but I have to believe that in the coming years there will be more demand in the area of LSA than in the area of small fast acrobatic capable planes. Van, however, IS a business man and a pretty good one....I think his company will carve out a niche for LSA.

Just my take.

Scott

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 8:25 pm

I am currently building an RV-6A and have had the misfortune of losing my medical. Currently I am not eligible for a Sport Pilot License because the FAA has denied my medical. I would be more than interested in a sport pilot rating if things change on the medical for sport pilot so that even though the FAA has denied my medical I could fly. However I think that day is a long way off. I am planning to fly with a "safety pilot" checked out in RV-6A's. Van has already terminated the RV-6A airplane so their would be one less airplane to support. You can get parts for RV-6 or 6A's only with a valid builder's number for them issued prior to April or May of 2001 when the RV-7's replaced the RV-6A.

If anyone knows about EAA or someone else working on revising the sport pilot's license so those of us with a driver's license can receive a medical for sport pilot license please let me know!

I am even considering looking at going partners with someone on an RV-10 so that I can take my wife with me or my grand children and a safety pilot.