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Making
the Decision - Factory Tours
and Demo Flights
Tours of Van's facility are available most any weekday between 9am and 3pm (holidays excluded). You'll get to see the production shop, the hangar and lots of airplane parts! We can even take you for a demo flight so long as you meet the criteria listed below and have
properly appeased the Oregon weather gods.
There’s a big difference between reading about an airplane in a
magazine, or dreaming about one you saw departing a local airfield,
and actually flying one yourself. What does a writer mean when he
waxes eloquent about "harmonized controls" or a "benign
stall?"
Van’s offers the chance to see for yourself...
You can usually arrange a demo ride at major fly-ins like Sun N Fun
or Oshkosh, but the logistics of large airshows mean that rides are
subject to many varieties of delay or even cancellation for reasons
beyond Van’s control. The best idea is to visit Van’s factory.
Here we can fly on a more relaxed schedule, answer your questions, and
generally show you around.
On any normal business day, assuming the
weather is decent and the airplane is available, you can get a demo
ride in the RV model of your choice. (See the details below to
determine if you meet the criteria for a demo ride.) There are times
of the year that many of the aircraft are away at fly-ins so it's best
to schedule a visit to Van's around the fly-ins. See our 'Fly-In
Schedule' on the main menu or Quick Links.
A demonstration flight is designed to be an introduction to a new
airplane, not a complete demonstration of all its capabilities. After a
short pre-flight briefing, the company pilot makes the take off and
usually hands over the controls on climb out. The prospective
builder/pilot is encouraged to do some gentle maneuvering while he or
she learns the control feel – this is usually where the well known
"RV grin" starts to show around the edges. Upon reaching a
safe altitude, the company pilot will demonstrate the speed range of the
airplane, maneuvering at speeds from cruise to just above the stall. A
few minor "wifferdils" may be included, but true aerobatics
are not part of demonstration flights. After a couple of stalls and
recoveries, the prospective customer gets a chance for a little more
stick time and some more maneuvering on the way back to the airport.
Somewhere near final approach, the company pilot will reassume control
and demonstrate the proper approach procedure and a landing like
thistledown on a satin sheet.
During taxi-in, the "RV grin" is usually going full blast.
On both occupants. The whole flight lasts about fifteen minutes, but it
is a fifteen minutes that has completely changed a lot of lives.
The factory demo rides are provided at no cost for the
two place planes
(RV-7/8/9) and at a modest $50 for the 4 place planes
(RV-10). The $50 charge on the RV-10 is fully refundable at time of kit
purchase.
Fair warning! This is
known as the $30,000 "demo ride!"
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VAN’S
AIRCRAFT
DEMONSTRATION
RIDE POLICY:
WEATHER
AND TIME PERMITTING
Van’s
Aircraft
gladly offers a demonstration ride to a
potential customer who meets the following
qualifications.
- Hold at least a
STUDENT PILOT’S LICENSE.
- Have never
previously flown in an RV.
- Be at least 18
years of age.
Hours
for rides: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Monday through Friday.
NO AEROBATIC MANEUVERS ARE
PERFORMED
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Directions
to our facilities at the Aurora Airport.
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