Vans Aircraft RV-15: Will it Ship Late 2025? 

It is really good to hear direct from Van's that the RV-15 is still very much in progress and a priority.

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They did a pretty good job of talking about it in a Forum at Oshkosh, but they haven't followed up with public updates outside of Oshkosh. So glad we could get them on camera with this. They still have a lot of work to do to make the End of 2025 Date, so that isn't confirmed. But the good news is they are making it a priority and have a good chance of making that date.

Thank you... I spent most of my Media Career behind the camera. So I watch me doing these interviews and think to myself, "Boy, what are you doing in front of the camera..."

I didn't think I really wanted one until this year talking to the team at Vans. I do think it will be our next build.

They haven't published the specs on it. But I doubt it weighs a lot more than the RV-14 does. It is a beast in its performance metrics. It won't beat some of the STOL specific planes, but the RV-15 will be amazing in STOL while still being able to go places like other RVs do. It is promised to be the perfect blend between STOL and go places.

A decade ago they were getting the RV-14 ready. Seeing as I’m building one now, I’m glad they did that then.

Chapter 11 has been complete for a couple of months now. I even have a friend who has received a full refund of his deposit for a tail kit that he decided not to do a reorder on.

@@N14VE wow that’s amazing. I didn’t know they’d made it. Hope the 15 is the cash cow that helps them survive. Maybe they’ve learned their lesson on outsourcing without QC. Nice looking plane you and the wife built.

The RV-14 in the video is the prototype airplane, there will be a lot of subtle changes for the actual production version of it. And every high wing I know of, the Strut is right in front of the door. I don't see it as "In the way"

If your goal is to build quick and get flying Quickly, the RV-15 isn't the right choice right now. But if you are wanting to take your time, enjoy the journey and end up with what I think will be the best Airplane in its Category, the RV-15 is looking really interesting. I suspect in another 3-4 years the RV-15 will be easy to get, available in Quick Build, and will be the one that you will want. I don't want to be in the early wave of RV-15's anyways. I want them to work out the kinks in the build process and plans before we start.

Stunning how a 500 horsepower muscle car, with advanced electronics, GPS, and even self-driving cars cost 1/3rd the cost of a simple GA plane. A Cessna 172 new, now costs half a million dollars, 5x the price of a CyberTruck, which has more advanced technology. There's really no explanation for this other than the 'rich' protecting their airspace for themselves.

@@PatrickDuffy-u3seconomy of scale…. Aviation will never approach the build numbers of automobile.

None of these companies are trying to do that. There is just a major lack of economy of scale in aviation to allow for the prices to come down, combined with these companies getting sued all of the time, they have to charge what it takes to run a business. Trust me, no one at any of these companies are getting rich. We need to do two things, and only doing BOTH will help reduce the cost to fly: * Get a lot more people flying. 3x to 5x more active pilots. * Innovate on new technology built specifically for General Aviation.

@N14VE I know they aren't purposefully doing this, but it is happening, and dreams are being ruined at an alarming rate. Regardless, I do want all these companies to succeed. But I am going to sell my -8 wing kit for the old price so hopefully it will help someone in a better position than I.

@@1hornet1 Have you considered finding partners on your 8? As part of my other business @pilotpartner, we believe in Shared Ownership (Flying Clubs/Partnerships) is another great way to keep flying. Very few people really need a plane all to themselves. For an RV-8, I'd look for a 3 or 4 person partnership (including yourself). It would dramatically drop the price for you and you get to keep flying an amazing airplane.

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