The world’s largest kit aircraft manufacturer is about to become the world’s newest aircraft manufacturer. Van’s Aircraft has announced it will expand its Aurora, Oregon, facility to build its popular RV-12 light sport aircraft. Factory-built RV-12s have been available for several years but Van’s contracted out the building of them to Synergy Air. Van’s is now bringing the operation in house and building a new assembly line. It will continue its relationship with Synergy as a builder assist facility. “As the SLSA program has matured, Van’s has expanded its workforce and capabilities to include marketing and aircraft construction,” Van’s said in a news release. “This change represents the next logical step in both companies’ successful business growth.”
Van’s says there will be no price increase and pledges to maintain the build quality that Synergy achieved. “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,” the company said. The new factory will make the RV-12iS and RV-12-iST models and the move is not expected to affect delivery schedules for aircraft already on order.Aviation Consumer Editor Larry Anglisano reviewed the aircraft four years ago at the Light Sport Expo in Sebring.
