Happy New Year
After a generally gloomy 2023 between Vans cash flow close to our hearts as well as the ongoing Ukraine and the middle east conflicts lets hope for a better 2024 all round.
December News 2023
Vans aircraft entered chapter 11, hopefully things are starting to look up at bit despite the doom and gloom merchants on various forums. Lets wish Vans the best and for a speedy recovery in 2024 so we can continue getting on with getting on.
November News 2023
BUSINESS MESSAGE FROM VAN'S FOUNDER DICK VANGRUNSVEN
Flyer article on Van’s statement https://flyer.co.uk/feature/how-did-vans-aircraft-get-into-this-mess/
Two cleared for flight this month, RV7 G-RVBZ, and RV8 G-CMKE. Two new starts, RV12is & RV14.
October News 2023
Quiet this month however we do know that at least one is nearing test flight, G-RVMS has had first engine run. There’s also been a few registered with the CAA, G-CMYB RV-8 , G-OPTH RV-7 & G-XACE RV14.
September News 2023
Busy month for new starts, 2 14’s and a 9A, good luck with the build. Also RV12 G-SRCB has been cleared to fly, hope all goes well.
August News 2023
RV-7 G-RVBP completed and first flew on 7 July 23. Testing complete and all with the LAA for permit issue any day now.
July News 2023
Ed Hick’s RV3B G-LILB first flight in the UK. 6th July. Looks nice, enjoy.
G-CMLL RV12 also cleared to fly, hope all goes well and enjoy.
June News 2023
Fly ins/outs underway. A group of RV’s flew from the UK round Europe and into the French club de Vans fly in at Moulin, a great trip by all accounts.
New start RV14 this month, and also G-SJPC, RV8 and G-FOTN, RV7, cleared to flight.
May News 2023
One new start RV7A and one G-RDAR cleared to fly.
Vans update on SB000036 now V3 for tailplane rear spar cracks.
April News 2023
G-CMLM RV7 cleared to fly. other wise a quite month.
No LAA rally this year but a repeat of the ‘Grass Roots’ Fly-in at Popham 18th-20th August.
March News 2023
Cleared to the sky is G-EMMR, an RV10 and a new start RV14. Nice piece on G-RUSL in the LAA mag, 20yr hiatus followed by a change of owner and 6 months of hard graft to get it completed.
February News 2023
G-RVBH RV8 takes flight
1 RV12is new start and imported RV6A G-RUSL cleared back into the air.
Check the Vans website re tailplane SB which covers most models.
Corrosion found in the aileron control pushrod, see the LAA mag page 28 for details.
January News 2022
G-WAFI RV12is cleared to fly, hope all goes well with the test flights.
December News
Quiet month, 1 RV12is new start.
November News
2 more cleared to fly this month, G-OHII & G-CLPY, both RV7’s and a new RV7 started.
G-WAFI RV12 – Taken to the air.
October News
More cleared to fly, RV8 G-CMDS, RV7 G-TIMA, RV9 G-CIZR & RV10 G-PGDG hope the testing goes well. Also a new start RV12.
September News
G-RVDD RV14 has flown, well done Mike.
G-FFRV cleared to fly and two imports registered with the CAA, a 12is and a 8.
LAA grass roots fly-in well attended even with less than ideal weather.
Here are the numbers for Popham LAA “Grass Roots Fly-in”. Total 57 (Still the most of any type in attendance).
RV-3 -1
RV-4 -4
RV-6 -13
RV-6A -1
RV-7 -10
RV-7A -3
RV-8 -10
RV-9 -4
RV-9A -4
RV-10 -2
RV-12 -4
RV-14A -1
August News
** News FLASH ** RV9 G-CIZR has first flight 26/8/22.
RV14 G-STRV has flown, well done Steve.
New starts this month, RV14A & RV7. Cleaered to fly, G-IFDA RV6A & G-SPRC RV8.
Lots of info and photos of the RV15 prototype at Oshkosh available on various feeds and website. Looks like another success in the making for Vans.
Oshkosh record attendance and near perfect weather for the week. Great show if you haven’t been before well worth the visit.
Don’t forget Glenforsa RV fly-in 27/28th August.
July News
RV12is G-NCLA cleared to fly. New starts 2 x RV10, 2x RV8 & RV7, a busy month. Kit deliveries are also starting to catch up with the new batch processing procedures bringing delivery times back to closer to 2-3 months on average.
RV-15 TEST PROTOTYPE AIRCRAFT REVEAL
Van’s Aircraft
The cat’s out of the bag – and here’s what our team has been working on lately. Introducing the RV-15 Engineering Test Prototype aircraft. This airplane was built to evaluate and test the design, and what we’ve been learning from this engineering tool test airplane will result in refinements and changes that will appear in the final kit aircraft design. You’ll have a chance to learn more about the prototype airplane during our forums on Tuesday morning at AirVenture in Oshkosh, coming up in just a couple weeks!
June News
RV12 G-CLSF has first flight.
Two RV8’s and a 4 cleared to fly this month.
May News
2 RV8’s cleared to flight, G-PAPJ & G-YSIR. YSIR from the same builder as LEMI so expect something special.
Details for French Vans Club fly-in posted in event. 17-19 June Biscarrosse. Or at https://vansclubdefrance.fr/fly-in-biscarrosse-2021/
April News
One more new start this month, a 12is, enjoy the build.
Flyer the online magazine has a new website, go have a look at www.flyer.co.uk. For the last 18+ months they have a 1 hour live YouTube on a Thursday evening which is also worth a watch.
The LAA “not a rally” will be held at Popham as the usual venue is unable to host this year. There may be an alternative fly-in being planned for those that are interested and a bit further north.
March News
Only 1 new start, a 7, this month, waiting for the start of the real flying season.
There’s the Private Flyer Show (London) – at Wycombe Air Park, 13th – 14th May 2022 coming up and slot bookings are now open.
February News
January News 2022
A 10 and 2 7’s just been registered, one an import the other two new starts.
RV9A built by Nigel Heald G-CSAM has flown.
One new start this month, an RV14.
November NEWS 2021
Busy month on RV14 new starts, 3 reported. Also RV8 G-EIGT cleared for flight, hope the test flying is going well.
October NEWS
Busy month, RV7’s CMAP & G-PEEE cleared for flight. New starts on a RV10, 8 & 14A
There’s also an RV fly-in at Netherthorpe 16/17th October.
September NEWS
G-ELWK Jim Devlin’s RV12 ready to fly this weekend 25/9.
G-CLMA RV12 was cleared for flight and new start RV12iS .
LAA Rally had good weather and a good turn out with 739 aircraft in total, 113 of which RV’s. Weather in the north and far south prevented many from getting there. Breakdown of numbers thanks to Nigel of the North Weald Marshalling team RV3=2 RV4=7 RV6/A=30 RV7/A=26 RV8/A=23 RV9/A=14 RV10=3 RV12=7 RV14A=1
August NEWS
18-Aug, RV12iS G-CLYH has first flight, well done, have fun.
No new starts this month but 2 released to the air is even better. Well done G-RVBJ RV8A and G-JPBA RV6, enjoy.
Glenforsa RV fly-in, 28/29 Aug. Must go to venue especially if you haven’t been before.
Count down to the LAA Rally, 3-5th September Sywell. Slot booking now open.
July NEWS
Robbie Jones’s RV14 G-XIVA has flown making the 4th in the UK. All great stuff and hope to see some of them at the LAA Rally. Quiet otherwise on the projects front, only 1 new start RV14.
June NEWS
Two more RV14 projects and a RV8 registered this month. Also the UK’s 3rd RV14, G-OGAL, is cleared for flight along with a 7 and 8.
Fly-ins galore taking place when the weather allows. The Glenforsa fly-in was well attended as expected.
May NEWS
Fly-ins starting to happen and a lot planned over the near future. The LAA rally in September confirmed to be going ahead, let’s make it a good one and help the LAA celebrate 75 years.
Another 3 new starts this month, 7A, 8 & 14A.
Vans Hobbs getting close to the 11000 flying count which could easily be reached in the next 3-4 months.
NEW VIDEO: RV builder Steve Hicks talks to FLYER
Flyer will be releasing FLYER Live content as standalone YouTube videos over the coming weeks and months, starting with Jonny talking to aircraft builder Steve Hicks about his Van’s Aircraft RV-14 project, his workshop and motivations. Watch it here.
March NEWS
3 new starts again this month, 2 8’s and a 3B, all good stuff. Lockdown restrictions easing at the end of the month, be safe getting back in the saddle if you haven’t been flying for a while.
FEBRUARY NEWS
The UK’s 2nd RV14 has been cleared for flight, G-JGRV. Details in the projects section of the LAA Mag. Hope all goes to plan with the testing.
3 new starts this month as well, 2 7’s and a 10, all good stuff. Let’s hope the lockdown restrictions ease in the near future so we can go flying again.
JANUARY NEWS 2021
Two new starts this month, a 7 and an 8. G-RVZZ has also been cleared for flight.
The new year has started much as the last ended, in lockdown with next to no flying allowed. Lets hope by the time we reach a year we can get back out to enjoy out toys again.
DECEMBER NEWS 2020
Only the one new start this month, a RV8. Covid continues to stop play and most things for that matter and looking to do so for a while yet. Hope everyone is keeping well and lets hope the end is in sight.
Merry Christmas and lets hope for a better New Year.
NOVEMBER NEWS
Hard to keep up with the rate of build even here in the UK. A 7 and 8 cleared for flight this month and a 7 and 14 new starts. If we could just sort the virus out as quick so we could go flying somewhere other than local.
Always worth attending, GASCo are running their safety evenings online. It’s a full 1 1/2 hours and always something useful to take away.
The CAA are running a BREXIT webinar. The GA one will be on the 26th of November at 1pm. Links on the main CAA Brexit homepage at: https://info.caa.co.uk/brexit/ when available.
Vans calendars are on sale. Get yours for $5 delivered from Vans
OCTOBER NEWS
Another 2 new starts this month, a 7 and 14 and another cleared for flight, RV7 G-CLBG, hope all going to plan with the testing.
CAA have also issued a statement for the next step in allowing Ab-Initio training in permit aircraft and micro-lights. I think the RV12 would be an excellent candidate for this role and fully expect to see them used in the coming years.
CAA have also initiated a rebate scheme for fitting electronic conspicuity up to 50%, £250 max towards the cost. I know of a few ordered already.
A few of the Van’s crew did a live interview from the factory with SocialFlight Live, where they discussed the Van’s Aircraft factory, technology, business, and a variety of other topics. Check out the replay of the interview session on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQo9M3Gc6TM
SEPTEMBER NEWS
Sadly no LAA rally this year. There are moves to try and organise an RV lunch if we can get a venue, possibly Sherburn-in-Elmet.
AUGUST NEWS
As most events have been cancelled this year we can only look forward to next year and the chance to see the newly completed RV’s that take to the air almost monthly. This month we have another 3. RV6A G-MNRV and RV7 G-OVEY. Well done to both of you and hope the test flights went to plan.
There is also a new start RV7 in the Western Isles which will no doubt bring a few challenges getting inspectors and test flights done when the time comes.
JULY NEWS
RV6 G-UKRV takes to the air. Well done Jim.
4 new starts this month, 3 RV8’s and a RV14, all good stuff and hope the builds go to plan.
Lots of events cancelled, notably the LAA rally. However some smaller events are going ahead perhaps on a reduced scale. Just keep safe and hope for better things next year.
JUNE NEWS
UK’s first RV14 take to the air. See flyer report uks-first-vans-aircraft-rv-14-takes-flight
Only one new start so far this month, an RV7.
MAY NEWS
** UPDATE **
G-VANZ RV6A flew for the first time 27th May from Sleap. About time Malcolm!
G-OGZZ RV8 flew for the first time on 24th May. Flies ‘hands off, straight and level. Great day! At last some good news, well done Darren, enjoy.
COVID-19 still dominates our flying, but at least some areas and airfields are opening up.
The first UK RV14, G-ORWS, has been clear to fly by the LAA and it will be great to a report of the first flight.
Otherwise it’s been a quiet month, although G-CDYZ has emerged with new paint.
APRIL NEWS
New starts of a 8 and 10 this month. No first flights and could be a little while with the Corvid-19 grounding everything. Still waiting on the first UK RV14 but it wont be far off once we get free. I have found out that a 7 took flight last year and so there are now 100 RV7’s flying in the UK.
CORVID-19 :- Hope everyone is taking care and looking after themselves and their families during these strange times. Let’s hope a solution isn’t too far off and we can get back to some sort of normality.
There are many events being cancelled all the time but the LAA still hope that the Rally is safe, let’s hope so. The LAA Scottish tour is cancelled until next year which will also be the 75th LAA birthday.
Dear British RV pilots,
The Vans Club de France has the regret to inform you that due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and related confinement measures in France we have no choice but cancel this year’s fly in that was to take place in Biscarrosse (LFBS) on June 5-6-7.
We have already decided that next year’s fly in will take place at the same great location that is Biscarrosse (LFBS) on June 4-5-6, 2021.
Please book these dates in your agenda.
We hope to see many of you there next year, it will be a great gathering of RV fans from around Europe.
Stay safe, and happy landings.
The VCF committee
UK RV CHALLENGE
A UK RV owner has set himself a small challenge. More details on his website https://www.adventures4charity.com/
Update on Giles Abrey, the solo pilot flying his VANs RV8 from Thetford to Cape Town.
Giles arrived safely 10-Dec in Cape Town after his epic journey. Appalling weather has been a major
feature of this adventure.
The picture attached shows Giles at Livingstone international airport amongst friends!
Thought you might like to know and support. Check out the link above.
400th G-Reg RV
G-RUVE has taken flight and has become the 400th G-Reg RV to fly by my records. G-RUVE is an RV8 built by John Brady and although the 400th unfortunately a couple have been destroyed, and a few exported to other countries so not all are still flying with a G-Reg, but still a landmark number, roll on 500.
Thanks to a couple of imports we have now passed the 400 mark by 2 but at the time of writing 23/8 these were still in the transfer process.
RV Scottish Tour
What follows is a brief summary of the tour as it unfolded. 18 RV’s, plus 2 want-to-be, turned up at Perth for a week touring. The first day proved to be a wash out due to the weather, however some came early on the Friday and the others caught up on the Sunday. The following week we flew everyday to various locations primarily for lunch and back to base for dinner. On the Sunday afternoon a couple flew over to Bute for a look. Back at Perth we headed to a local inn for diner.
Monday about half the group headed to Campbeltown, the others to Islay. On Islay some visited Bowmore and the distillery. Monday evening was an Indian carry out in the club.
Tuesdays main events were Plockton for lunch followed by Glenforsa mull for dinner, then back to Perth, the beauty of Scotland at this time of year is daylight until 10pm.
Wednesday was pre arranged to go to East Fortune East where the local strut kindly put on a BBQ and transport to see the construction of a 1 1/2 Strutter and then to the Museum with a special visit to Concorde having an ex pilot in our group. For most dinner was into Perth on the bus, although there were a couple of cars on hand.
Thursday most went to Dornoch for lunch, others went into Edinburgh by train. Evening meal, Chinese takeaway at the club.
Friday the early arrivals headed for home, the others split between Dundee and those who didn’t go to Plockton on the Tuesday heading there for lunch, then back to Glenforsa for Coffee, well it’s an RV time machine so why not.
The remainder headed home on the Saturday. All have a great time and although the weather wasn’t perfect we made the most of it and didn’t miss out on much other than possibly heading up to Orkney.
Vernon Millard (G-VMOZ) organised a Squadron of RV8`s to be in attendance to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Wattisham Airfield, they added a big splash of colour to the event.
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RV first flights
Peter Gilmour reports than his, and build partner Colin Acland’s, latest RV8 G-OCXI, has now flown as of 27th July and so we are only 3 away from the 400th UK RV.
Nick Williams-Jones reports that his RV9A G-RVWJ has taken flight from Blackpool, great news Nick.
David Catt’s RV8 G-RVDC has also had its first flight, well done David, enjoy.
Well done to Ed and Steve with the first flight of their RV8 G-MIRV
And also a couple of weeks ago RV12 G-IZRV took flight.
2000 RV10’s
Van’s announced that they just sold the 2000th RV10 tail kit. See their FB page for details.
Van’s Aircraft have a new look and renewed website with more improvements to come.
LAA RALLY
LAA Rally stats: 958 aircraft in total or which 130 were RV’s. 4500 visitors.
Attendance : – RV12 – 6, RV10 – 1, RV9 – 27, RV8 – 23, RV7 – 28, RV6 – 34, RV4 – 9, RV3 – 2.
LAA Rally 31st Aug-2nd Sept, just short of 1000 aircraft in total and a good number of RV’s.
Congratulations to David and Shelia on the awards for their new RV7, G-RVDB, was awarded the Air Squadron Trophy for Best Kit-Built Aircraft, and the Andy Nowicki Trophy for Best RV.