Van's RV-15
- Thread starter aflyer
- Start date
Crash Jr.
Registered User
Anchorage, AK
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.
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
BENEFACTOR
Graham, TX
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
MEMBER
Inkom, Idaho
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.
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.
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
SPONSOR
Bozeman,MT
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
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
MEMBER
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
MEMBER
Heber City, UT
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.
Steve Pierce
BENEFACTOR
Graham, TX
Those are some big Fowler flaps.
Formandfunction
MEMBER
Looks alot nicer up close and seems to have some good features.
mvivion
SPONSOR
Bozeman,MT
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
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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.
RaisedByWolves
FRIEND
Tx
Wings look pretty long too from that other video
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Steve Pierce
BENEFACTOR
Graham, TX
I was trying to figure that out myself.
frequent_flyer
Registered User
Arizona, USA
The triangular fuselage cutout that allows movement of the stab can be seen in the photo. It's hard to make out the exact geometry but I'd guess it's a stabilator similar to the PA-28.
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Formandfunction
MEMBER
If I had to guess the suspension is probably very similar to a
Stinson with a pivot point and internal struts.
courierguy
MEMBER
Inkom, Idaho
I'm a big fan of 4130 chrome moly myself...., at least for something I'd be bashing around in rocks, but those flaps look huge, the gear is interesting, and the wing span is generous. At first glance it would seem to maybe outSTOL the 21? Besides the engineering involved, there is the marketing, always. Now if VANS came out with a CM fuselage bird, that'd be of a lot more interest to me. Oh yeah, tandem seating also.
Looks like a stabilator to me, but curious why trimming at the TE is highly unlikely?
Never seen a stabilator on a taildragger. My first thought is that’ll be a slow performance killer. I’d also watch for durability issues after operating on rough terrain. Whether it fails before that main gear suspension will be a crap shoot.
I’ve never seen a jack screw adjust the trailing edge and can’t imagine how elevator controls would compensate. But my life has revolved around Skywagons and Cubs. Familiarity plays a role.
I’ve never seen a jack screw adjust the trailing edge and can’t imagine how elevator controls would compensate. But my life has revolved around Skywagons and Cubs. Familiarity plays a role.
