Vans Aircraft - Buyers and Builders Guide

All airplanes are different. Even two planes of the same model and year will perform and weigh a little different. How planes are equipped, maintained operated and modified will greatly affect cruise speed, useful load and price. The numbers in this video attempt to average the available data on the existing fleet. Thanks for watching.

My Dedicated Vans Videos:

RIP Mitch

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0:00 Vans
0:20 RV3
1:04 RV4
1:36 RV5
1:31 RV6
2:33 RV7
3:02 RV8
3:33 RV9
4:21 RV10
5:19 RV12
5:58 RV14
6:40 RV15
6:51 Comparisons

[pigeon]

Another fun fact of the RV-12, every rivet is a pop rivet for simplicity. I once met a guy who buys the kits and puts together a group of highschoolers every year to assemble it with him so they can learn aircraft design

[amcconnell]

6:58. WOW - those things are quicker than I thought ! Up to 1000 knots. Well worth the cash. :D

[matt_b...]

I'm happy I was able to import this video from Canada prior to the tariffs being implemented.

[JoshuaTootell]

Mitch insert was a very welcome surprise 😂

[JustAnotherYTer]

Haven’t watched your videos in a while(since you were around 2k subs if memory serves me), but just want to say thank you for providing such high quality digestible videos. You give the basic info in a humorous way, happy to see you succeed.

[BotanistOnDuna]

Can you make a video about the Murphy Moose with all engine options (M-14 radial, corvette LS3, IO540)? I've heard of people building them for well under 200k with all engine options except the IO540, for the M14 radial people use barret precision's restored and improved 400hp M-14. Interestingly, it has better efficiency on the M-14 than with an IO-540. It seems to be very capable yet very affordable for its capabilities.

[justinlegend]

I can only afford some planes on MSFS.

[jark]

I’ve been trying to sell my RV-10 empennage for 3 months now, almost complete, for less than the kit price- with no luck. I’m selling because I ended up getting a Cherokee Six. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like nearly as many people are interested in buying now after the bankruptcy (and vans price hikes), laser cut parts fiasco, and constantly rising prices (and lead times) of engines since covid. Sad to see, I really enjoyed the building, but I see why there’s hesitation.

[Ethan-buzy]

Owned an RV-8 and will be looking for another sometime soon. A Great airplane!

[peterrestaino]

Look up Jim and Gingers twin RV6. You wont believe it. Amazing.

[emfournet]

Its a good day when complete walkaround posts. Can we get a Globe Swift?

[Panzerschreck]

You should do a video on the Beechcraft musketeer/sierra!

[JudsonGraham]

Mitch Hedberg? Complete Walk Around is completely based.

[gmcjetpilot]

Small correction. at 5:28 not STC's.... service bulletins. STC applies to modifications of certified planes. Also RV-12 was modified, there are Gen 1 and Gen 2 versions RV-12's. Big change in second iteration of RV-12, beefed up landing gear for one. Great video.

[aerialbugsmasher]

I feel like you should've mentioned all the problems they had the last 2 years, IE bankruptcy and the scandal with defective kits. While it seems like they were out of bankruptcy quick and supposedly have stepped up their QA and resolved issues, I would still be cautious. They increased their prices significantly, and it's likely to only get even worse with tariffs.

[mwp]

Hopefully mosaic allows these to be factory built so there will be some actual competition

[yalyosha]

As a Vans builder, I think some of those build $ figures are optimistic. I _wish_ that's what it cost. And that RV-14 build time figure as well.

A lot of the Vans kits now have final sized holes. But how much does that actually save? Supposedly something like 100 hours...

[dohdohman]

I have a dream to own a Rv-12iS for some cross county flying in an LSA.

[thoride_]

i like that the average build time on the rv9 is listed in lbs instead of hrs lmaoo 4:12

[PetesGuide]

Upvoted before I finished because all of your stuff is amazing.

But when are you going to start a video off with, “So, you want to buy a Blackhawk.”?

Maybe it’s too soon, but it is topical, and Heavy D has done it.

And I’ll wait patiently for a Robinson video. I’ve paid for a flight in an R44 once, but never again. Really want to know your take on it.