Badland Part 103 Pilots and Builders Forum

Just read where Van's Aircraft was having some issues with the financial part of the business. Hope Chris is hanging in there strong! I've always thought that a 15K-20K kit was easier to sell than a 60K kit. But then, what do I know? Some people just can't afford a 100K airplane to play with. Mainly me!

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Sat Oct 28, 2023 5:20 pm Just read where Van's Aircraft was having some issues with the financial part of the business. Hope Chris is hanging in there strong! I've always thought that a 15K-20K kit was easier to sell than a 60K kit. But then, what do I know? Some people just can't afford a 100K airplane to play with. Mainly me!

It's sort of a catch 22. Chris is so meticulous about ever part of the plane that "good enough for the government" simply isn't good enough. This of course slows production. He's told me about getting help, but the attention to detail he demands out of the product makes finding someone for the job very difficult. I've got to give him a call and find out where he's at on my kit.

Todd

What problems is Vans experiencing?

From what I read its due to several issues. One was the laser cut parts they use to speed up production. Seems they wasn't holding up and had to be replaced. And as everything after Covid, things are tough to rebound. Kitfox had the same issues in the late 90's. The market was flooded with Kitfoxes and new kits just wasn't selling like they once did. The RV series is a pretty intense kit to build and rare to get one in the air for under 65K-75K. And in the last couple years, ultralights are making a strong comeback. UL's are plain and simple and FUN!

Mountain Cat wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 7:39 am From what I read its due to several issues. One was the laser cut parts they use to speed up production. Seems they wasn't holding up and had to be replaced. And as everything after Covid, things are tough to rebound. Kitfox had the same issues in the late 90's. The market was flooded with Kitfoxes and new kits just wasn't selling like they once did. The RV series is a pretty intense kit to build and rare to get one in the air for under 65K-75K. And in the last couple years, ultralights are making a strong comeback. UL's are plain and simple and FUN!

Just what flying is supposed to be about.

Ouch. That's a tough blow. And covid didn't help, as in most cases. But very true about Ultralights. I feel like the field just keeps expanding. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, to be honest.

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 12:42 pm Ouch. That's a tough blow. And covid didn't help, as in most cases. But very true about Ultralights. I feel like the field just keeps expanding. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, to be honest.

I think the FAA designed Part 103 around the Darwin Awards, knowing the idiots they would normally have to deal with will eventually eliminate themselves from the flying community

Haha you are probably right...now, what side of that equation am I on???

LA F2 Flyer wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 2:06 pm Haha you are probably right...now, what side of that equation am I on???

Hopefully on the right side! As long as you take a professional approach. A UL is just fast enough to barely kill you. #1. If something isn't right, make it right. #2 If you don't have the correct part, wait till you do. #3 Maintain it as it was Air Force One. #4. Spend the time learning to handle it. Following these basic rules will keep you alive and flying happy.

Agreed - all good words to live by for sure.