Team Assembles Final Wing and Empennage Sections Ahead of Spin Tests

The Vans Aircraft engineering team recently provided its spring progress update to the RV-15 build, showing off its redesigned tail, control system, and fuel tanks. The plane is nearing its final configuration ahead of this year’s EAA AirVenture fly-in.

The design was first introduced at the 2022 EAA Oshkosh Airventure, hoping to bring it to market in mid to late 2023. Followers got some new updates at the 2024 airshow, including a delayed anticipated production date of late 2025.

Last we heard, in March, the manufacturer revealed that there has been significant progress in finalizing the RV-15’s wing, empennage, and fuselage. These alterations had made strides in chopping the aircraft’s weight and parts count to significantly reduce wing-building time. Vans also confirmed that the production version wing is within expected MOSAIC standards.

“From the beginning, the RV-15X’s performance has been very good, as reported and demonstrated in videos,” explained Vans founder Richard VanGrunsven. “However, we’ve continued to work hard to achieve the control response and harmony expected from an ‘RV.’ We’re very happy with it now, though we continue to make minor improvements.”

The high-wing RV-15 prototype has been making steady progress since the last update, recently passing wing-load testing, completing alterations to its tail, receiving a revised control system, and expanding its integrated wing tanks to 60 gallons. The final wings and empennage will soon be built and attached to the existing airframe for spin testing.

“We’re very intentional about trying to be nimble and make adjustments on the fly,” stated Brian Hickman, Design Engineer of Vans Aircraft. “As we run through testing, we try to anticipate any improvements we may be able to make. So that could be durability, that could be assembly order, that could be repairability in the field.”

The RV-15 is Van’s first high-wing design, featuring a Lycoming IO-390 EXP-119 powerplant and 80-inch composite Hartzell Trailblazer propeller producing 215 hp. The final RV-15 will be a backcountry-capable, high-performance, two-seater aircraft targeting a cruise speed of 140 kts. If everything goes according to plan, the prototype will fly into this year’s EAA Oshkosh AirVenture.

FMI: www.vansaircraft.com