Prolific kitplane maker Van’s Aircraft is marking its 50th year in business and introducing a new model, the RV-15, at this year’s EAA AirVenture. Founded by Richard VanGrunsven, Van’s introduced its first model, the RV-3, in 1972. Today, the Aurora, Oregon-based company can count more than 11,000 of its all-metal kits completed and it still does a brisk business, selling more than 400 kits annually.
EAA is marking the Van’s anniversary with a special Van’s RV parking area in the homebuilt section, a variety of forums, workshops, and special programs during the week, and the flight of RV aircraft during the daily air shows.
Also at this year’s AirVenture, Van’s is introducing an all-new model, the RV-15. The high-wing taildragger is designed for backcountry flying. An engineering prototype is already flying; however, the company is not taking orders just yet. The company said data from test flights will be used to formulate the final design and create parts.
However, certain things are already known about the aircraft, which was teased in a video released before AirVenture: it will be all-metal construction and feature a Lycoming engine and stick controls. The taildragger version will be available with larger tundra tires, and there will be an option for tricycle landing gear.
The new EAA Education Center opened earlier this month in Oshkosh. Located at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Eagle Hangar, the 30,000-sq-ft facility is designed to further develop aviation education and training, and it is the first addition to the EAA Aviation Center in more than 20 years. The $6.2 million project was funded via a dedicated capital campaign and features the Pilot Proficiency Center, a youth education center, and the EAA conference center.
“Part of EAA’s mission is to grow aviation participation by promoting the spirit of aviation, and I think we are doing just that with the educational and technological advancements that we now have available in this new facility,” said Jack Pelton, EAA chairman and CEO.
The Pilot Proficiency Center features 16 Redbird flight simulators and will help bring new pilots into aviation and allow pilots to work on improving their aeronautical decision-making skills. The 15,000-sq-ft youth education center provides children, parents, and teachers access to interactive and project-based activities designed to inspire the next generation of aviators. It has five hands-on tech labs and four modifiable classrooms.
Primary support for the EAA Education Center expansion is from the Ray Foundation, David C. Lau Estate, and an anonymous donor. Additional support came from the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust, The Brown Family, Hank Menke, Jim Gorman, Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation, Juan Rodriguez, The JEK Foundation, Global Aerospace, Henry and Louise Timken Foundation, The Ward J. and Joy A. Timken Foundation, William Knighton, Richard VanGrunsven, JT Grainger, Emily Sensenbrenner, John Lee, and Kathleen Lowrance. Through July 31, additional gifts of support for the center will be matched up to $600,000 from an unnamed sponsor.
Textron unit Pipistrel plans to seek full EASA IFR certification for its four-seat Panthera single-engine aircraft equipped with a Lycoming IO-540 engine and Garmin G1000 Nxi avionics. The aircraft is currently flying under an experimental license and is on display at EAA AirVenture 2022. The low-wing, retractable gear aircraft has a range of 955 nm and a cruising speed of 200 knots. It features gull-wing passenger doors and a removable back seat for extra baggage space.
Also at AirVenture, Pipistrel is displaying and promoting its two-seat, all-electric Velis Electro for the flight training market and will seek FAA certification validation. The aircraft has already been certified by EASA and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The Velis Electro was under development for 12 years and has an external noise footprint of just 60 dBA. The aircraft “already has achieved a lot of success in Europe,” said Gabriel Massey, Pipistrel president and managing director. “Having the only certified electric aircraft in the world available in the U.S. is a very exciting prospect, especially for such a large GA and flight training market.”
Elixir Aircraft is making its U.S. debut at EAA AirVenture as it eyes expansion into this “vast” general aviation market. The French company is displaying its two-seat piston-singles, which are touted as low-cost, “fourth generation” alternatives to the huge inventory of aging light aircraft. Fourth-generation refers to Elixer's OneShot composite manufacturing technology, which uses an injection molding process to make monolithic structural components.
Cyril Champenois, Elixir co-founder and COO, described EAA AirVenture as “the ideal platform and a must-attend event for general aviation aircraft manufacturers." The show will provide “a springboard for our U.S. expansion, which is, after all, the largest aviation market in the world."
Although it is still early days, Elixir is exploring locations for its U.S. headquarters, which will house a final assembly facility along with sales and marketing activities. The company is eying locations in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. “We don’t have a fixed timetable, but we would like to begin hiring [staff] next year,” said Champenois.
Elixir is hoping to secure U.S. Part 23 type certification for its Rotax 912iS-powered model “as soon as possible,” said Champenois. The $264,000 airplane secured CS-23 approval from EASA in March 2020.
Florida-based kitplane maker Comp Air Aviation is displaying its latest design, the model CA6.2, at this year’s EAA AirVenture show. First flight is expected later this summer. The aircraft features carbon composite construction, a useful load of 2,000 pounds, a cruising speed of 175 knots, a stall speed of 62 knots (full flaps), and seating for six plus baggage.
With fuel capacity of 250 gallons, the CA6.2's maximum range will be 840 nm with IFR reserves. Service ceiling is 15,700 feet. Power will come from a single 350-hp Lycoming IO-580-AC1A piston engine. According to Comp Air, builders will be able to upgrade this to a turboprop engine.
The aircraft will be available with either fixed-wheeled landing gear or the company’s amphibious “Super Floats.” The base price for the kit is estimated at $150,000 excluding the engine, propeller, avionics, paint, and interior. Comp Air expects to provide a four-week builder-assist program with an overall build time estimated at 1,500 hours. Kits will be available beginning next year.
Designed to be a larger and more comfortable version of the Cessna 206, the CA6.2 will feature a large cargo door with air stairs. The cabin’s interior cross-section measures 52 inches wide by 45.5 inches long. The overall aircraft length is 31 feet and the wingspan is 40 feet, allowing the aircraft to use smaller and more prevalent general aviation aircraft hangars.
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