Van's RV-15

[courierguy]

That Mooney landed Soldier Bar!

[Utah-Jay]

That Mooney landed Soldier Bar!

Let’s see him land at Marble

Or better yet your strip

[1934A]

I'm not sure what the definition of 'backcountry capable' is, but i don't think that Sling High Wing would qualify. With a 56mph stall speed with full flaps, a 300' gravel bar is gonna seem awful short! I guess it all depends on what you consider the 'backcountry'...

[Utah-Jay]

I'm not sure what the definition of 'backcountry capable' is, but i don't think that Sling High Wing would qualify. With a 56mph stall speed with full flaps, a 300' gravel bar is gonna seem awful short! I guess it all depends on what you consider the 'backcountry'...

That was my point exactly, but if you read the comments on the Vans forum, they want typical Vans speeds (think 180 kts +) for this “backcountry capable” plane. Honestly I find the comments over there hilarious

https://vansairforce.net/community/f...play.php?f=116

[thaefeli]

Let’s see him land at Marble

Or better yet your strip

Bob Conger, long time owner of Marble, used to fly in and out of there regularly in a Mooney. Before the Mooney, it was a Cessna 421.
Tom

[Utah-Jay]

Bob Conger, long time owner of Marble, used to fly in and out of there regularly in a Mooney. Before the Mooney, it was a Cessna 421.
Tom

1200-1300’ strip… that’s some awesome piloting then

[thaefeli]

I guess we are talking two different Marble airstrips. The only two I know of are Marble Colorado (Conger) and Marbel Canyon below Page.
Sorry!

[Utah-Jay]

I guess we are talking two different Marble airstrips. The only two I know of are Marble Colorado (Conger) and Marbel Canyon below Page.
Sorry!

ID8 is the identifier

[aflyer]

Here we go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sHK-B230sY

Sign me up!

[Cub Builder]

Looks like Van's just bought a set of plans from Murphy and built a Rebel clone. Kind of disappointing if you're looking for design innovation from Van's.

[1934A]

Underwhelming to say the least... Hopefully the production version gets some cosmetic changes, mainly that engine cowling...

[mvivion]

So, you guys are critiquing the LOOKS of a new plane, based soley on a short video..... Interesting.

I've seen enough of Van's designs up close and personal that I'll wait to see the "finished product" up close and personal. I'm betting it'll be a winner. And, folks saying they should build a 185 replacement might want to look at a. What that kit would cost, and b. How much structure would be needed to accomplish that, resulting in c. A HUGE and long assembly process.

Frankly, if they pull off a two seat, all metal back country capable airplane, I think it will be a huge hit. As with other Van's designs, builders will instantly start installing larger and more powerful engines.

If the gearbox is sturdy, it'll be a winner. That huge tail portends well..... And, how about floats?

MTV

[RoddyM]

I believe the Cyclone kit has new ownership and will be returning to the market.

“Cyclone” is what will have happened to the builders wallet after one is completed. If it can be completed.

[RoddyM]

Underwhelming to say the least... Hopefully the production version gets some cosmetic changes, mainly that engine cowling...

Rare they’d do a competition style take-off landing on their first flight(s).
If they say they’re building a STOL plane, then they are- VAN’S reputation says so.

[Utah-Jay]

IN the video that plane got up dame quick and it did not look like flaps were used in the video.

I am not a huge fan of spring gear, love the big tail for slow flight. Will be interesting to see the flaps.

From what I have seen I am not regretting my Bearhawk build

[Cub Builder]

So, you guys are critiquing the LOOKS of a new plane, based soley on a short video..... Interesting.

MTV

Actually, I'm poking fun at them for a year's worth of hype just to produce something that looks like they bought a set of Murphy plans. Hey, but it's from Vans so it must be incredible. Right? I'm not knocking them. I own a RV. Incredible plane. But the initial impression is a bit disappointing for all the hype.

-Cub Builder

[skywagon8a]

Actually, I'm poking fun at them for a year's worth of hype just to produce something that looks like they bought a set of Murphy plans. Hey, but it's from Vans so it must be incredible. Right? I'm not knocking them. I own a RV. Incredible plane. But the initial impression is a bit disappointing for all the hype.

-Cub Builder

Don't expect superior performance on a first flight. That plane lifted off main wheels first with a small flap setting and what also appeared to be lightly loaded. It appears to have a lot of promise. I wonder, fixed pitch or constant speed prop?

[RaisedByWolves]

Don't expect superior performance on a first flight. That plane lifted off main wheel first with a small flap setting and what also appeared to be lightly loaded. It appears to have a lot of promise. I wonder, fixed pitch or constant speed prop?

Looks like a big trailblazer constant speed. I'd bet lyc 360 powered

[1934A]

Rare they’d do a competition style take-off landing on their first flight(s).
If they say they’re building a STOL plane, then they are- VAN’S reputation says so.

I wasn't referring to the performance at all. I realize that this is a prototype that is still in the testing phase. I wss just hoping for more innovation and eye appeal, i guess. The cowling doesnt seem to match the lines of the rest of the fuselage very well, it resembles the cowling on a Sonex to me. I was also almost expecting a cantilevered wing. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product, for sure, also the performance specs. Looking at it as is right now, though, to me, it looks like the result of a one night stand between a Murphy Rebel and a Sonex.

[ScaleBackcountryPilot]

Supposedly the RV-16 is going to be a 4 place similar to the 180

[brown bear]

look at the flap tracks and the wing leading edge , slats? slots ? hard to tell .
Doug

[ak49flyer]

I’m not sure that’s simple spring gear- what are the weird fairings where the legs go into the fuselage? Covering some sort of suspension or pivot point? Who knows at this point but I’m not sure why those covers if it’s as simple as Cessna gear...

[Crash, Jr.]

I think that's just an optical illusion; the flap tracks appear at the rear of the wing. Also, if the gear appears to be simple spring gear probably with a fairing or external gear leg mounts for ease of building.

Look at the rest of Van's designs. They're not pushing the envelope here, just making a nice easy to build kit with good all-around performance. My money is on basically Cessna 170B like performance with a simple step by step build process and a forgiving performance envelope. Probably (almost definitely) easier to maintain and repair than a Cessna too. It'll be a big winner for the bigger part of aviation that isn't looking for the most cutting edge short field performance but a good overall speed envelope.

[Steve Pierce]

Seen several former Vans builders that were tired of going fast to the pancake breakfast build Rans S21s. I figure this is Van's answer. Having flown in the S21 with the IO-340 and manipulated the controls it flies nice. Like any design I see things I like and things I don't, it is all a compromise.

[courierguy]

On the flip side, a fellow very long time RANS S-7 pilot/builder/modder, just bought a RV-3. Not to replace the 7 but for his go fast, and does it ever! 190 mph +, MT 3 blade prop, sliding canopy, and a very snazzy paint job, for a price that made me offer him 5K more for it on the spot, he just laughed.

I can imagine the VANS crew this Monday morning going over all the social media posts about the initial reaction to the 15 from the pilot community, or, maybe they are so confident they don't bother? It's obvious direct competitor is the RANS 21, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

[1934A]

It's obvious direct competitor is the RANS 21, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Also might as well throw the Bearhawk Companion into the comparison, diffetent construction methods, but as far as intended mission, they'd be comparable.

Looking forward to seeing how it stacks up against these two as far as stall and cruise speeds, cargo space and useful load go.

[mvivion]

On the flip side, a fellow very long time RANS S-7 pilot/builder/modder, just bought a RV-3. Not to replace the 7 but for his go fast, and does it ever! 190 mph +, MT 3 blade prop, sliding canopy, and a very snazzy paint job, for a price that made me offer him 5K more for it on the spot, he just laughed.

I can imagine the VANS crew this Monday morning going over all the social media posts about the initial reaction to the 15 from the pilot community, or, maybe they are so confident they don't bother? It's obvious direct competitor is the RANS 21, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

The thing I don't like about the Rans S-21 is the very short wing. Randy explained during the design process that he wasn't comfortable making the wing longer without going to two wing struts per wing, and he wanted to keep it to one strut. I'm sure there was more to it than that, but I think that was a bad decision for a "back country" plane. That said, I'm not sure the S-21 was really designed as a back country plane. And, it may be that this one isn't either.....

It will be very interesting to see the "finished product". But, with Van's track record, I'm betting this will be a winner.

MTV

MTV

[ak49flyer]

Let’s face it- the current RV series will already go anywhere that the target market of this rv-15 is likely to want to take an airplane; I think all this discussion about flaps, gear, slats, etc etc is a little academic. If it’s basically nothing but a high-wing rv-7 it’ll sell...

[Formandfunction]

It looks like a kit plane. Kinda has that square sonex look. I guess there's a unspoken rule that stol planes have to look like jeeps no matter who makes them.

[Utah-Jay]

The thing I don't like about the Rans S-21 is the very short wing. Randy explained during the design process that he wasn't comfortable making the wing longer without going to two wing struts per wing, and he wanted to keep it to one strut. I'm sure there was more to it than that, but I think that was a bad decision for a "back country" plane. That said, I'm not sure the S-21 was really designed as a back country plane. And, it may be that this one isn't either.....

It will be very interesting to see the "finished product". But, with Van's track record, I'm betting this will be a winner.

MTV

MTV

I have a lot (for a new design) of hours in a S-21, it is not a backcountry plane. I’m building a Bearhawk Companion to be a backcountry plane. I think the Vans fans will line up to buy/build the 15.

[LMartin]

I like all the glass. That’s about as light as it can be: no paint, no interior, small tires, looks like one seat, no lights.


Sent from my iPad using SuperCub.Org

[rc dude]

Van's just posted another video from their employee reveal, showing some of the features up close. Kinda neat how the shock absorbers are internal so there is less of a drag penalty.

[Steve Pierce]

Those are some big Fowler flaps.

[Formandfunction]

Looks alot nicer up close and seems to have some good features.

[mvivion]

Those are some big Fowler flaps.

Actually, those are some Huge flaps.

Interesting looking gear as well. Look at this photo, zoom in on gear attach, it’s got some sort of shock system where the gear attaches.



MTV

[KevinJ]

Bushwheels help the looks of nearly everything. I’d like a dollar from every one they sell.

[1934A]

Looks alot nicer up close and seems to have some good features.

I agree, looks way better up close, and with bigger tires. Now, if they'd just fix that cowling...
Interested to see the inner workings of that suspension.

[stewartb]

That cowl looks like a scale model of a Skywagon cowl without an air filter. If it cools the engine and doesn’t add unnecessary drag? Bravo.

[Crash, Jr.]

Just saw that on Facebook. Looks like I have to eat my words; that's a suspension system. It's hard to imagine how they fit it in there but it's very cool to see them pushing the envelope.

[DENNY]

I really like the tailwheel steering and suspension. Also looks like a adjustable stabilizer which is a huge advantage!!! DENNY