kbalch
Well Known Member
Probably in the minority here. . . but. . .
To paraphrase Gandhi, "Even with a minority of one, the truth is the truth." Consider this a minority of at least two!
I would like to see Van's revisit the top and bottom of the tandem line.
Time to do a 3 refresh. This would serve the budget minded builder nicely. Bring the single seat line up to the build quality of the -14.
Absolutely; I'd buy that tomorrow.
I know, I'm going against the grain with retractable gear and all. If it had the build qualities of the RV-14, It looks like it could be a solid replacement for the 8.
Aluminum, tandem, maybe a Rocket style sliding canopy, fastback, full controls front and back. Wing looks suspiciously speedy. It also looks quite roomy and the back seater has a better view of the world.
I don't care for the fastback, but I'm with you on all other points.
Make it a turboprop (with enough fuel for at least 3 hours + reserve) and I'm there. If it can be made sufficiently speedy to rival the PC-12 or TBM line, so much the better. Call 275 KTAS cruise a bare minimum and closer to 300 much better.
The unfortunate reality, though, is that none of these ideas are likely to suit enough of Van's target market to be worth the time and money required by a design effort. Van's will never offer a canard of any sort, is extremely unlikely to produce any sort of turbine kit, and I highly doubt they'll ever deviate from the RV "look" enough to add a high-wing to the line - no matter how many squeaky wheels (by no means a majority of actual customers) inexplicably advocate for a "bush" airplane.
Speculation and wishful thinking is occasionally diverting, but none of these airplanes will ever come from Van's. My two cents...and worth what you paid!