Meet Van's Aircraft's Resident Box Builder, Jim Daggett

Chances are, if you've bought an RV from Van's Aircraft in the last decade, you've seen Jim Daggett's work. Thanks to Daggett's expert woodworking, each aircraft part and kit arrives safely packed within carefully constructed crates.

After 14 years at the facility, box building has become second nature for Daggett. Yet, it is his passion for aviation that makes his story particularly unique. Daggett has never let adversity prevent him from contributing to aviation, no matter the challenges.

The 60,000 square foot Van's Aircraft facility, located in Aurora Oregon, is a far cry from the company's beginnings. Over 30 years ago, in a small shop behind his house in Reedville, Oregon, Richard VanGrunsven pursued his love of aviation.

After being inundated with interest, VanGrunsven pursued his lifelong dream, starting Van's Aircraft, Inc. in 1973. From his small workshop, he developed and produced RV-3 kits almost single-handedly. With the market success of the RV-4, the RV-6/6A, the RV-7/7A, the RV-8/8A, and the RV-9/9A, Van's Aircraft, Inc. continues to build towards the future.

Over the years, and several expansions, the company eventually moved to its current location on the Aurora, Oregon airport. By 2005, over 4,000 RV kits, averaging almost 130 kits per year since the start of the company, have been completed and flown.

Currently, the company employs 70 people full time, with hundreds more in sub-contract roles, producing several hundred complete aircraft kits a year.

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