Van’s Aircraft Expands Operations to Build the SLSA RV-12iS and RV-12iST
August 31, 2018 (Aurora, OR) – Over the years, Van’s Aircraft has endeavored to expand and refine our manufacturing processes and capabilities. We do this to enhance our product line, thereby providing our customers increased value.
In keeping with our desire to deliver the best quality at a reasonable price, Van’s Aircraft is excited to announce that it is establishing its own aircraft assembly facility and team at its company headquarters in Aurora, Oregon. Future RV-12iS and RV-12-iST SLSA aircraft models will be assembled and delivered at this new facility.
Synergy Air has been Van’s assembly partner since the launch of the RV-12 SLSA program and has done a tremendous job for Van’s and our customers. As Synergy Air continues its expansion into and emphasis on the builder-assist arena, we are excited to continue to work together to create opportunities that will expand the RV fleet and the Van’s Aircraft family.
Note: Media may direct inquiries to Greg Hughes, Director Media and Marketing, Van’s Aircraft – greg@vansaircraft.com or (503) 410-2254.
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Van’s Aircraft has announced that it will be producing the RV12iS family of SLSA airplanes at its factory facility going forward. We are excited about what this means for everyone involved. We thought it would be good to explain a bit of the history of our SLSA program as well as where we’re heading in the future.
Several years ago, Van’s set out to implement a comprehensive SLSA program for the purpose of delivering the RV-12 as a ready-to-fly, certified light-sport aircraft that can be used by individuals and flights schools. Over the last year that program has grown to include the next-generation SLSA RV-12iS and, most recently, the RV-12iST trainer aircraft. Synergy Air and Van’s Aircraft originally partnered to implement the various components necessary to run and deliver a complete SLSA program: design, manufacturing, a comprehensive safety program in conjunction with the FAA, technical support, marketing and aircraft assembly/build. Synergy Air worked with Van’s from the onset of its program to apply expertise related to the marketing and aircraft assembly portions of the program.
The natural evolution and success of both businesses has brought us to where we are today: Synergy has become even more focused on the important business of assisting Van’s Aircraft’s customers in building their own RV airplanes. As the RV-12 SLSA program has matured, Van’s has expanded its workforce and capabilities to include marketing and production aircraft construction, and has developed improved processes and technologies to enable us to operate with greater efficiencies and agility. This move represents the next logical step in the business growth of each of our companies, enabling both to best focus and deliver in their respective areas of strength while best positioning our collaborative business relationship for the future.
Importantly, this change is the result of mutual successes and represents a natural and positive evolution of both businesses that enables both companies to deliver even more — both in partnership and individually. Just as it makes sense for Van’s to take on SLSA assembly work at this time, it also makes sense for Synergy to focus on its growing and key business: Builder-assist services for people who are building their RVs. In fact, Synergy is growing and recently expanded beyond its Eugene, Oregon facility when it opened a second builder-assist center in Georgia. These changes are great for Van’s Aircraft, great for Synergy Air, and good news for our mutual customers.
Customer Support
All SLSA aircraft have been and will continue to be fully-supported by Van’s Aircraft. That will not change. Van’s technical and business support teams remain ready to support every customer that flies our airplanes. The Van’s support team serves as your single point of initial contact for any support needs you may have related to the RV-12.
As in the past, you may contact Van’s Aircraft via phone at (503) 678-6545 or you can email our dedicated SLSA support mailbox at rv12slsa@vansaircraft.com.
Delivery Schedules
Note that we do not anticipate schedule delays as a result of the change in production staffing and location. Any RV-12iS currently in production with Synergy will be finished at Synergy’s Eugene facility. Any aircraft not yet started will be completed at and by Van’s Aircraft. Van’s anticipates delivering aircraft that are already on the schedule on or before the estimated delivery dates we’ve previously communicated to individual customers.
As part of this change, Van’s is staffing a dedicated SLSA build team, which is co-located at our Oregon factory in a new, dedicated work space. The design of this team and program will allow us to increase throughput and enable even quicker delivery of RV-12iS SLSA aircraft. Van’s will leverage its existing people, experience and processes to optimize our ability to deliver more efficiently.
About Van’s Aircraft
Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Van’s Aircraft is the largest manufacturer of airplane kits in the world, with more than 10,000 flying examples. For more information on Van’s Aircraft, Inc. and the most successful line of kit aircraft in aviation history, visit the Van’s Aircraft web site at http://www.vansaircraft.com, and for more information about the RV-12iS aircraft, visit http://www.flyrv12.com.