SLSA: We Build It, You Fly It!

SLSA: We Build It, You Fly It!

Not ready to build your own RV-12iS and want us to build it for you? Or, maybe you have a need for commercially-flyable aircraft for your FBO or flight school? That’s where the SLSA RV-12iS comes in.

Factory-Built and Delivered to You

Our SLSA staff builds the RV-12iS at our factory facility in Oregon, to your specs and with your selected options. We finish the airplane, paint it and perform the test flights for you, so when you take possession of the aircraft it is ready to fly away. We can even provide the transition training that you or your flight instructors need.

At Van’s dedicated SLSA production and finishing facility in Oregon, our SLSA manufacturing team transforms the parts from the factory next door into your special airplane. Using the latest state-of-the-art technologies, Van’s produces parts and the build team assembles the aircraft using our program’s well-established and efficient build processes. The people who put together your RV-12iS do nothing but build these airplanes – It’s their full-time job, they have substantial experience building RV-12s, and they are quite good at what they do.

SLSA: What Are the Differences and What Does It Mean?

The Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) designation is assigned to Light Sport airplanes that are factory-built to FAA-accepted industry standards, in this case the ASTM standard governing the category. SLSA aircraft can be rented by a FBO or flight school, but cannot be used to carry passengers or cargo for hire. They can be rented to an individual for flight training, but may not used for point-to-point transportation like an airliner can.

Aircraft manufacturers like Van’s Aircraft register new light-sport airplanes we build as Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA). To maintain a Special Airworthiness Certificate, the airplane must be kept in its factory configuration and be maintained by a certified machanic or by a person who has met the LSA-RM qualification requirements. No changes or modifications to the factory-approved design are allowed without factory approval. An aircraft registers as SLSA can be used for hire. An owner can rent the SLSA aircraft to other pilots. An instructor or flight school may rent an SLSA RV-12 to their students. When used for-hire, SLSA aircraft must have a condition inspection every 100 flight hours, just as with any other commercially-used aircraft.

I’ve Also Heard People Talk About “ELSA” –  What ‘s the Difference?

We produce the RV-12iS as SLSA when we build them at the factory. Another option available to RV-12 purchasers is to build the airplane themselves, or to hire someone to produce their new light-sport RV-12iS with an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) airworthiness certificate.  There are a few differences in terms of what you can do with the airplanes, as well.

• An ELSA aircraft can be modified and maintained by the owner, but cannot be rented to others.
• The ELSA option provides the opportunity for the individual owner to perform their own maintenance and/or to add accessories and make modifications without having to obtain factory approval.
• Modifications may only be made after the airworthiness certificate has been issued.  To be eligible to get the original ELSA certificate, the aircraft must be assembled from complete kits as supplied by Van’s Aircraft and with strict adherence to our Kit Assembly Instructions.

Unique Safety Program: Van’s Aircraft and the FAA in Collaboration

When discussing SLSA aircraft, the term “Special” applies to factory-built airplanes that meet the light-sport category requirements, and which are produced to an FAA-accepted standard — but where the FAA does not maintain direct production and quality control oversight. In the case of Van’s Aircraft and the RV-12 SLSA manufacturing production program, Van’s and the FAA have implemented a joint program that provides and avenue for the FAA to assess and monitor Van’s RV-12 production process and results.

In June of 2017, Van’s Aircraft and the Federal Aviation Administration partnered and implemented a voluntary Partnership for Safety Plan (PSP) for the RV-12 models we build in our SLSA program. The PSP is modeled after industry safety partnership programs that are implemented for the production of FAA-certified aircraft. In fact, Van’s Aircraft is the only LSA manufacturer to implement a PSP, a sign of Van’s commitment to safety and transparency. The PSP program facilitates effective interaction between the FAA and Van’s Aircraft, ensuring we consistently maintain or exceed expected levels of safety when we manufacture and build your airplane. It provides regular FAA oversight of Van’s SLSA certification processes and continued operational safety (COS) program.