Van's Aircraft Business Update - February 17th

[@The_Professional_Hobbiest]

Super grateful that you have kept doors open. Praying for you

[@FloridaFlying]

I am proud to own an American designed and built Vans RV-12 airplane. We are grateful for the open honesty and excellent support for Vans Aircraft

[@EJWash57]

Sat down to eat lunch and watch this update video today. No less than 10-minutes afterward, Van's called to advise my RV-14 Fuselage Kit and replacement LCPs were ready for pick-up! Talk about burning ears! Thanks for the video, and the getting my kit/parts ready.

[@dreamcreator2552]

Looks like Vans is keeping the heat down in the warehouse. People are wearing hats and jackets. Keep up the good work. Vans is a great company.

[@dougstates]

Thanks for the video. This is the kind of communication that is needed. Just a quick video with your phone is perfect. Keep doing this.

[@FliteTest]

LETS GOO!!! Love to see it guys! Keep on being awesome! ;)

[@scotttomlinson1057]

Great to hear the positive news. We are praying for you and your company and certainly your team here in NC!! 🙏

[@blancolirio]

Thanks for the update and transparency!

[@brendonreap7468]

Looking forward to receiving my -10 fuse and finishing kit in a few weeks and glad to hear the factory tours are opening back up in March! Definitely going to be making a trip up to Portland to stop by and also give thanks to the team for working their butts off during this time!

[@seansadventures-flyingtrav7901]

Great news!!! Two great guys....Must feel great to see light at the end of the tunnel.

[@robertmendenhall1350]

That's good news van I'm an RV 9 owner and Builder way back before you're starting to build your big business building at the old shop I'm happy to hear from you guys love you guys be safe out there

[@kibrickj]

Thank you all for the hard work. Special thank you to Greg et al for your perseverance and obvious dedication. Thank you Dick for your commitment to the cause and business. I flew with you when the RV 4 first came out, and it’s only now with the coming of grey hairs that I’m able to fulfill the dream of building and flying one of your joys.

[@balanmd]

So pleased to hear of the progress you’re making going thru the restructuring. I’m certain this has been a difficult period for you, and so glad to hear of support from vendor partners and customers alike, who all appreciate Van’s aircraft and the company you have built. A real testament to you’re service, dedication, and commitments to the flying community. Praying for your continued success.

[@dennisnbrown]

Two of my favorite aviators. This was a nice video to watch. It looks good for Vans. Thanks for the update

[@duanestace6303]

Thank you Greg and Dick. Great to hear that things are looking up. Congratualtions to you both and the entire team!

[@jamesroberts7137]

Great update guys and wishing you all the best from down under 🇦🇺

[@ersinc9080]

Yes, the engineering videos were very good! I say that as an engineer.

[@2Phast4Rocket]

Thanks for the update. I am glad the recovery process is going well. I am flying my RV8 today because of the excellent kit produced by Vans. Keep up with the good work and keep up with the communication from the factory.👍👏

[@dkeyyablo11]

Great job gentlemen.. more power to you . Thank you

[@williambrewer6346]

I have been completely elated with my 7A, it sips 8gph at 160kts, outstanding flight characteristics! I can’t wait until the acrobatic weight comes in and then the Real Fun begins! Happy Landings 😊

[@brianpeele311]

I love my 8, flying for close to 10 years. What great designs. I really hope you get back on your feet! Go Vans!!!

[@hawaiitrader21]

I'm so pleased to witness your company's gradual emergence from a challenging period, showing signs of progress. Can't wait to see the company roar back to its full potential. Great company and great people ~ Made in the USA and love it!

[@DarrynDavis]

Glad to hear this!!!

[@toohip1959]

Blessed Be for Van's RV!!! Terrific news! I'm so very glad that there is light at the end of this tunnel. Keep up the good work, we're all pulling for you!

[@therealjimmysworld]

Yay! a little turbulence but onward and upward! Great company and kits :)

[@Rancho-Relaxo]

That man has enabled ordinary folk to live airplane dreams. It has been a sad event for the company and all those that invested their time and money into their aircraft projects, time more than money the issue, I’m sure…I purchased my RV4 kit 30 years ago, and that baby has given me over 25 years of flawless, trouble free entertainment…any troubles seem to disappear in that machine. Thank you Van.

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

The quality of the product(s) exemplifies the people behind it, and the man behind Van's.

[@michaelguy7168]

Really appreciate the updates, keep up the hard work.

[@philipcobbin3172]

Great update. Thanks, and Good Luck going forward.

[@damongulick4306]

So glad to hear things are going better!!! You all have done a great job of getting ahead of the problem and being open, honest and transparent. Thanks again. I hope to someday purchase one of your aircraft.

[@oconnorcm]

I am proud of your efforts.

[@bertschb]

Thanks for the update Greg and Dick. Thanks so much for sharing it here. I'm building a -14A and I'm all in with Vans! Great company, great airplanes and great employees!

[@JoeyWebber955]

You have been kicking ass for years with the products you produce . This is just a bump in the road and hope to see many more years of what you offer .

[@DominicUliano]

Excellent news! So glad to hear that you have met/exceeded your business goals. I plan to put an order in for the rest of the RV10 kits that I need. Thank you.

[@jtjt210]

None of what you're going through is easy, but I appreciate the transparency, integrity and professionalism of your ongoing work. It is truly admirable what you the leadership, and your teams are doing. You have a lot of people cheering you on.

[@johnwighton]

Thank you for the update from the UK.

[@riverrat7411]

Glad things are getting back to “normal”! I took a very long break while everything was being worked out. Recently jumped back into my wings and trying to get them finished in short order so I can get into the fuse. I hate I’m gonna miss yall at sun n fun.

[@FlyVansAircraft]

Yes, we hate not having a booth there. We haven't determined yet whether we will have someone(s) there but if we do, we will be sure to let folks know! Congrats on getting the wings knocked out!

[@JohnCBobcat]

This is encouraging. Someday, hopefully, I'll be able to start working on my dream of building.

[@jimbower9268]

Van’s Aircraft is a great company staffed by great people. I built a Van’s RV-6A and flew it for several years. The support I got from Van’s when I needed it was second to none. I’m very happy that they are continuing, and I hope they keep getting the support from their customers they deserve.

[@androidphone1901]

I wish your company the best, we are all brothers in this

[@alanbranch851]

So happy for you guys things are looking up you, kudos to the aviation corporations that are working with you guys 👍

[@georgemohr2904]

Great to see, best wishes to all of you.

[@Geymanc]

so great to see smiles on Dick and Greg. Thanks for the update.

[@kentcolgan6139]

It looks like skies are clearing for Van’s Aircraft. Thanks for not giving up! And thanks to everyone who has decided to keep building.

[@1hornet1]

Well that's good news for you guys. I am glad to hear it as I believe you put out an incredible product and should continue to do so. After ordering my LCP replacements, I am selling my kits as the decision to continue is ludicrous for me and definitely out of my hands BUT I plan on packing the 401k for several years and just buying one for a little while. Good luck Van's!

[@JamesTyranski]

Love the update, and so glad to hear things are moving in a positive direction. Thank you for the transparency with your customers, and doing the work needed to support them.

[@chadpm11]

Awesome updates for customers and potential customers. I can't wait for the RV15. To be ready, this is one I'm very interested in.

[@CazYokoyama]

Now I understand why Richard has not flown until 04/14 since .08/01 last year while we had good soaring days in Aug. I am glad you resumed flying. Thank you for your assessment about the weather which is the great info for me who flew at the same days.

[@martinrenschler4046]

Congratulations! You worked very hard to make this company survive! Well done!

[@billfajack2303]

Great update! Looks like Van’s is expanding during the reorganization. At 7:12 there’s view of a new building being built.

[@FlyVansAircraft]

That's actually a neighboring building, but we do have room here to expand at some point in the future when the time is right.

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

As a future builder and an American concerned about small businesses, I thank you for your hard work!

[@GeorgeFord1]

Great video Greg and Van!

[@tc6984]

Vans. Lots of Class guys

[@MetroDrones]

Good job Vans Team!!

[@samaipata4756]

I wish VAN’s aircraft and its customers the very best, may this company prosper for years into the future! Great job to not give up, but initiate a restructuring process to continue serving aviation! Keep on writing aviation history!❤

[@LoungeFlyZ]

Best of luck on your continued recovery. The aviation community is rooting for you.

[@tylerp6375]

Absolutely love it. I am so excited for the RV-15 and can’t wait to see that ready for production! Hoping I’m still in a good place to make a deposit on that when the time comes.

[@gmcjetpilot]

Great NEWS.... long road to go but really a great start at turning this around.... Long time RV builder, flyer....

[@LTVoyager]

Congratulations. Best wishes going forward and hoping you come out the other side stronger and smarter.

[@cujet]

I am glad to see the potential for continued success and hope to see Van's around forever. Making it hard is today's "aerospace" component price gouging. It affects all of us. It makes little sense to see products available for 50+ years, which should have production methods honed into perfection, suddenly cost 10X what they are worth. And major companies buying up the less expensive options.

[@DaveGillespie-w5f]

That's great news. Way to go.

[@10RRASK]

Glad to know things are turning around! I am not a Vans owner/builder but Vans sticking around is important for the homebuilt community and GA in general.

[@scottwarner7264]

Great news! thanks for the update good to see you in the video Greg.

[@travisfries]

This just made my day.

[@AlexM2299]

The way you all have handled this from a public relations standpoint has been nothing short of amazing, in my opinion. Of course, not everyone will be happy and satisfied, but you have never come up short when it comes to announcing timelines and being on time for those updates. Really hoping I can get myself an RV one day and hoping that everything else clears up over time for ya’ll. And hoping the same for all the builders out there!

[@jimydoolittle3129]

🙏🏻👏🏻 good Lord , VA keep up the good work ✈️

[@stefanandlizostergren9509]

LETS GOO!! Yall are the best! ha

[@RussRamz]

I am so happy to hear things are settling down. I’m still planning to get my kit in the next year or so as I settle down into preparing for retirement! 😊

[@tiagothoma]

Muito, Bom!! Ficamos muito felizes com o desempenho e certos que teremos a plena recuperação e folego total da Van´s em breve a nos fornecer essas maravilhas voadoras e seus componentes!

[@unclefreddy2009]

Thanks guys, can we please get an update on the timelines for engines especially for those of us with 24 month old orders from Lycoming.

[@FlyVansAircraft]

The teams at Van's and Lycoming are working to put the production and delivery schedule together, and it will be communicated as soon as we have it ready to share. Thanks for your continued patience.

[@djquick]

You’ve got at least another 12-18 months to go.

[@unclefreddy2009]

@@djquick I hope that’s not the case considering I was told December 2023, and then April 2024. This is for a NON thunderbolt.

[@stevesmith4325]

God bless Vans!

[@philipcraig8484]

Amazing gentlemen!

[@michaeltippin2541]

Nice video. Great warm and fuzzys….. I ordered my finish kit at Sun n fun in 2022. I accepted the new pricing. At the time of acceptance the new pricing there were supposedly 21 RV-10 finish kits ready to ship. I’m still waiting with NO idea when I might get the finish kit…. It seems that the acceptance process was done alphabetical. My last name starts with a T. If that is the case, then there are very few U, V, W, X, Y, and Z’s after me. If my assumptions are correct, this means that I am at the “back of the line” to get my finish kit….. Some form of communication would be appreciated. I would like to think that Vans wants to “help” existing “loyal” customers who have steadily worked through the building process, but zero idea when one might receive an order does not build confidence in this “difficult process”!

[@FlyVansAircraft]

I's not alphabetical, to be sure, but we will be communicating schedules for kits and other big items like engines as soon as the plans for those have been finalized. We're just finishing up the re-order process and from that information, we are forming the plan and schedules. It will take a little more time but we will communicate with you as soon as we have the information to share!

[@doncatchpole]

Congrats. Good luck.

[@Deg99]

congratulations on your progress....although I am not building at the time I am part of the RV family and support you any way that I can......RV-4 3289.... will be entering the year 23 of flying the -4 🙂

[@ecossearthur]

Good to hear!!!

[@bennabors9298]

I have a RV4, RV7 under construction, and a partly built RV9A that I just bought. My estimate to complete my RV 7 is more today than when I started. The RV9A was purchased because it was less expensive to finish than my RV7. Lycoming price increases are punitive and not representative of just inflationary increases but price gouging. Gouging is how you kill the goose that lays the goulden egg.

[@brianporter9391]

Non pilot, but small business owner. This the template any other operation should follow when addressing challenges in business. Transparency, honest communication, passion for design & execution. It is apparent that your customers are your focus, they value your expertise and you allowed outside efficiency staff help you “retool” your company. Cheers and best of luck, people really respond to your character & products!

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Vans airplanes are still the best value in the sky.

[@Erik-rp1hi]

A lot of machine shop auctions I've gone to have Amada CNC punch presses. Everybody is going to LASER CNC's. Vans could have more than one of those for cheap. tooling included with most.

[@dreamcreator2552]

My inbox is unindented with Machine Shop Auction emails as in every piece of equipment they had and now are done. Seems worse than the last recession.

[@dreamcreator2552]

Looks like Vans is keeping the heat down in the warehouse. People are wearing hats and jackets. Keep up the good work. Vans is a great company.

[@jamesbuckingham8073]

Wishing y'all respect and manageable growth!

[@TibDriver]

Having been in a business environment during the late 80’s, 2008-2009, and then the dreaded COVID times has taught me that no one is safe and EVERYONE has an opinion. There are just times when the storm left devastating results that no one could foresee…good work keeping on. Our RV-14 is an amazing machine, and with 38 of the 40 hours flown, we proudly display our version of the RV-14 logo stitched in the seats. Thank you guys, all of you.

[@FlightChops]

Agreed! 👊

[@FlySabre2]

I love my RV-14A.

[@stevenwilgus8982]

This is good that a good aircraft is still alive. Hope a tight ship means you become successful. Luck is for losers: do do it right every single time and the outcome should be a great one

[@omorin34]

I'm about 50% through my 7A fuse. In a couple months I'll order the finish kit and wings! Happy you guys will still be around and excited to finish her. Financially it has been a hard road for me. I will admit, I was not happy about the increase, I was hoping for less, but I am at a place I can still afford it.

[@ikay2102]

I been putting money away for a white now, rv14 is on my horizon .

[@poboy6704]

Do you have a graph that shows stall speeds of RV12 at specific G's? I cant find it.

[@diablouser]

So Dick, looks like you may have some time starting in April to do some soaring! Painful as it has been, the company will have transitioned to more modern fiscal control for a very bright future. I have thought since the start of this that the community would come together and they did. Bruce 96S

[@bluehornet6752]

I absolutely LOVE the fact that the aviation community seems to be rallying being Van's in this time. General Aviation is in danger of being lost, and it's incredible to see people supporting the entire line of RV aircraft. Best of luck to you guys going forward, and thank you very much for the transparency during this process.

[@mberry7a]

What a great company!

[@bradmarcum2927]

How much will kit prices increase?

[@AlbertHess-xy7ky]

Enough for some profit margin.

[@squeakersc063]

Those aren't nose gear legs behind you are they :O poundsign Ineeeeeeedone!

[@alfredoporras301]

Good news, Im happy you're doing well and getting back to work. I am also happy for everyone who can pay the extra money to complete their dream. But I hope you also have good news for people like me who have to lose the dream because we can't afford or accept the new prices. So seeing that you are doing so well and also happy that I can help you with my money in the difficult process you have , I hope you will return all my money back. Best regard

[@jacintocaliguiran2505]

Great news.. for the LCP's, I have received an email about these parts but instead of replacing these LCP's from my empennage and wing kit, is it possible to just deduct the cost of the LCP to my current fuselage order cost? This will help reduce my cost and will have no effect on Vans cost as I will not be asking for LCP part replacement. Thanks in advance.

[@Rv7traralgon]

Thanks Greg and Dick. I am in the middle of a 7 build and glad to hear this positive news. An update re Engines would be great re delivery dates.

[@alvesbruno17]

We need a kit for $50k … where is it ???

[@AlbertHess-xy7ky]

It's right beside your $85K SUV.

[@tinolino58]

Why are all the comments biased? 😢

[@3dfoamies]

Yea, the response on the vans Facebook build groups is less than stellar. Perhaps these people are completed builders who didn’t have skin in the game but wanted the company to survive for parts. I can say I’m one of the 7% that didn’t renew their engine contract. Too much risk. Have 350iS engine coming in March and I doubt anyone will get an engine from vans before then

[@radioactivepilot]

Yeah, I thought the same thing. Seriously? Also, they are thankful for the re-orders! Good for them. I don't think many customers had a choice. Spend more money or lose it all. I'm glad they are on the right path, but these responses are sketchy AF.

[@randominternet5586]

Good to see Dick and Greg so active in the business - I'm super curious about who was actually driving things went stuff went off the rails because some of the decisions seem so out of character especially on the QC side. Not so much decision to outsource,, but just outsourcing and then not checking what was actually happening.

[@wallywally8282]

Vans are lucky that suckers are plentiful!

[@bendrixbailey1430]

Management ran the company down, now customers are “grateful” to pay again for a kit from a company that continues to me run by the team that squandered their original deposits. Take whatever refund is available and walk away.

[@AlbertHess-xy7ky]

No more Van's will ever be built? How is your company doing?

[@roberthamilton7760]

Offering reorders in alphabetical order rather chronological order was a gross disservice to those who paid deposits long ago and have names near the end of the alphabet