Demo Flights
Experience the RV Difference
RV demo flights are available at our factory in Aurora, Oregon—weather and aircraft availability permitting. And while you’re here, don’t miss our factory tours, held daily at 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the RV world.
There’s a big difference between reading about an airplane in a magazine, dreaming about the one you saw departing a local airfield, and actually flying one yourself.
Van’s offers the chance to see for yourself…
The best way to experience flight in an RV is to visit Van’s factory. Here we can fly on a relaxed schedule, answer all your questions and generally show you around. A factory tour to accompany your demo flight is a great way to get an even more complete picture of the RV world.
On any normal business day you can take a demo ride in the RV model of your choice — but we do ask that you schedule your demo flight ahead of time. There are certain times of the year that our aircraft are away at fly-ins, plus they are scheduled at times for transition training and maintenance periods. Scheduling ahead of time ensures you’ll get to fly the RV you’re most interested in. See the details below to determine if you meet the criteria for a demo ride.
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 takeoff and usually hands over the controls during 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. Conversation is easy using the noise-canceling Zulu 3 headsets provided by our friends just down the road at Lightspeed Aviation.
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, using varying amounts of control input to demonstrate that “RV feel.” Note that aerobatics are not part of our demonstration flights. The prospective customer gets a chance for a little more stick time and maneuvering on the way back to the airport. Somewhere near the final approach, the company pilot will re-assume control and demonstrate the proper approach procedure and a landing like thistledown on a satin sheet. (Sorry, our demo pilots temporarily got control of the website for a moment…) The whole flight lasts about fifteen minutes, but these fifteen minutes have completely changed a lot of lives.
Demonstration Flight Policy:
Demo flights are subject to weather, aircraft availability, and pilot scheduling. Because of the variables involved, flights can’t be guaranteed until just before departure. While many RV models are aerobatic-capable, aerobatic maneuvers are not part of our demo flights.
We require a signed liability release to be completed prior to flight.
To qualify for a demonstration flight, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold at least a student pilot certificate
- Not have flown in an RV before
