THE world's biggest supplier of kitplanes, Van's Aircraft of Oregon, also announced an entry into the Light Sport category, the RV-12. It's a two-seat all-metal low-wing design powered by the ubiquitous 100hp Rotax.
Van's said the design goals for the RV-12 were flying qualities equal to or better than the RV-9A (not easily achieved!), 550lb payload, 750lb empty weight and a low parts count, to reduce kit costs and assembly time.

The prototype shown at Oshkosh featured removeable wings, full span flaperons and an all-moving tailplane. "Given these and other new features, you can appreciate why the prototype is a proof-of-concept airplane, NOT a production prototype," said Van's. "We need to build and fly it to determine whether we retain, modify or reject these ideas.

The prototype RV-12 is scheduled to fly in September or October this year, but Van's will not offer RV-12 kits for sale until flight testing is complete - late 2007 at the earliest. Intriguingly, Van's is also talking about offering complete, factory-built aircraft.

W: www.vansaircraft.com