Van’s Aircraft of Aurora

What Van’s Aircraft of Aurora does

Van's Aircraft, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned American kit aircraft manufacturer founded in 1972 by Dick VanGrunsven and headquartered at Aurora State Airport in Aurora, Oregon. The company designs and sells the RV family of high-performance, amateur-built aircraft under its "Total Performance RV" brand, spanning two-seat sport models (RV-7, RV-8, RV-9) through four-place aircraft (RV-10) and, as of July 2025, a high-wing four-seat design (RV-15) for backcountry use. Its core technology centers on matched-hole precision kits, QuickBuild pre-assembled components (contract-assembled in the Philippines and Brazil), and a pushrod-actuated flight-control design philosophy refined over 50+ years; the only factory-built offering is the RV-12iS SLSA and its RV-12iST trainer variant with Garmin G3X Touch avionics.

Van's operates a direct-to-consumer sales model: customers place orders through vansaircraft.com with a 25% non-refundable deposit, and Lycoming engines and Hartzell/Sensenich propellers are drop-shipped under exclusive OEM agreements conditioned on holding a Van's-assigned airframe serial number. More than 11,000 RV aircraft are flying worldwide — described as the world's largest amateur-built fleet — supported by an in-house builder-support team, builder groups, first-flight community reporting, and major event presence at EAA AirVenture and Wings over Willamette. Primary customers are individual homebuilders; secondary segments are flight schools purchasing factory-built RV-12iS SLSA trainers and STEM/youth educational programs. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

The business generates revenue across six streams: one-time aircraft kit sales, drop-shipped Lycoming experimental and Thunderbolt engines, drop-shipped Hartzell and Sensenich propellers, an online parts and accessories store, factory-built SLSA aircraft, and paid construction classes and builder-assist services. Leadership consists of CEO Mikael Via, COO Shawn Ell, VP/Chief Engineer Rian Johnson (also ASTM F37 chairman), and founder Dick VanGrunsven, who continues to fly test aircraft into his mid-80s. The company has no external investors, no parent company, and no public listing identified in the source data.

Name

Van’s Aircraft of Aurora

Legal name

Van's Aircraft, Inc.

Website

https://vansaircraft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Van's Aircraft is a 50+ year-old, privately held U.S. kit aircraft manufacturer selling the RV series of high-performance amateur-built aircraft directly to individual homebuilders, with secondary sales to flight schools and STEM programs via OEM-bundled engines and propellers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Kit-Built General Aviation Aircraft

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)

Keywords

• Kit-built aircraft
• Experimental aircraft
• Homebuilt airplanes
• Light sport aircraft
• Aviation powerplants

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Kit Sales: Sale of RV aircraft kit models (RV-15, RV-14, RV-12iS, RV-10, RV-9, RV-8, RV-7) as matched-hole or QuickBuild configurations. Revenue is one-time per kit order with 25% deposit required.
2. Lycoming Engine Sales: OEM agreement with Lycoming allows sale of Thunderbolt and non-certified experimental engines directly to RV builders. Engines drop-ship from Lycoming to customers.
3. Propeller Sales: Sale of Hartzell and Sensenich propellers through OEM agreements. Props available only to RV builders with Van's serial numbers.
4. Parts and Accessories: Online store selling individual parts, hardware, accessories, and non-kit items for RV aircraft maintenance and completion.
5. Factory-Built SLSA Aircraft: Sale of factory-assembled RV-12iS SLSA (Special Light Sport Aircraft) and RV-12iST trainer variants with complete flight testing.
6. Construction Classes and Builder Assist: Programs helping builders with construction knowledge and skills, supporting the kit-building process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Van's Aircraft designs and manufactures the RV (Total Performance) family of kit-built aircraft, which individual buyers assemble at home using matched-hole precision parts and optional QuickBuild pre-assembled components. The company also sells factory-built Special Light Sport Aircraft (RV-12iS SLSA), the RV-12iST trainer variant, Lycoming Thunderbolt and non-certified engines, and Hartzell/Sensenich propellers, supported by an online parts store and builder technical support services.

Product overview

Van's Aircraft of Aurora is a kit-built aircraft manufacturer offering a portfolio of RV (RVs Total Performance) aircraft models ranging from two-seat sport aircraft to four-place aircraft. The core product line includes kit-built aircraft (RV-15, RV-14/14A, RV-12iS, RV-10, RV-9/9A, RV-8/8A, RV-7/7A, plus Legacy RVs), the sole factory-built offering (RV-12iS SLSA and RV-12iST Trainer), aircraft powerplants (Lycoming Thunderbolt and Non-Certified engines), propellers (Hartzell, Sensenich Composite, Sensenich Metal), QuickBuild partial-assembly kit options, pre-built components (flaps, ailerons, fuel tanks), construction classes, builder support services, and an online parts store. The company operates through a direct sales model with an OEM agreement for engines and propellers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QuickBuild Kits: Pre-assembled kit option that helps streamline the building process for RV aircraft
• Thunderbolt Engines
• RV Series

Products and services

• RV-15 Kit Aircraft High-wing, four-seat kit aircraft designed for backcountry flying with STOL capabilities and an all-new airframe from Van's. Intended for individual homebuilders.
• RV-14 / RV-14A Kit Aircraft Two-seat kit aircraft offering high performance and maneuverability in a traditional low-wing design (A variant has retractable gear). For individual builders and amateur pilots.
• RV-12iS Kit Aircraft Two-seat, side-by-side kit aircraft powered by a Rotax 912 iS engine, designed for ease of building and flying by individual homebuilders.
• RV-10 Kit Aircraft Four-place kit aircraft with comfortable seating for four and excellent performance and handling characteristics. Aimed at individual builders seeking a high-performance touring aircraft.
• RV-9 / RV-9A Kit Aircraft Two-seat kit aircraft with comfortable side-by-side seating and easy handling. For homebuilders wanting a docile, friendly RV.
• RV-8 / RV-8A Kit Aircraft Two-seat, taildragger-configuration kit aircraft optimized for aerobatic capability and sport flying. Targets experienced homebuilders.
• RV-7 / RV-7A Kit Aircraft Two-seat, tail-wheel configuration kit aircraft designed for sport and aerobatic flying. For individual builders interested in taildraggers.
• Legacy RV Kit Aircraft (RV-3, RV-4, RV-6) Classic early RV models being phased out from active kit production as of 2025 due to declining orders.
• RV-12iS SLSA Factory-Built Aircraft Factory-assembled Special Light Sport Aircraft version of the RV-12iS, flight-tested and delivered ready to fly. Sold to flight schools and consumers seeking a ready-to-fly aircraft.
• RV-12iST Technically-Advanced Flight Trainer Technically advanced flight trainer configuration of the RV-12iS SLSA with Garmin G3X Touch avionics and IFR capabilities. Targeted at flight schools.
• Lycoming Thunderbolt and Non-Certified Experimental Engines High-performance built-to-order Thunderbolt engines plus non-certified experimental Lycoming engines offered via Van's OEM agreement; drop-shipped from Lycoming to RV builders with assigned serial numbers. Pricing from $46,000 to $98,100.
• Hartzell Constant-Speed Propellers Aluminum and carbon-fiber constant-speed propellers sold exclusively to RV builders with Van's serial numbers via OEM agreement with Hartzell; 8-week lead time; pricing from $12,463 to $29,160.
• Sensenich Composite and Metal Propellers Composite ground-adjustable and metal fixed-pitch Sensenich propellers in 2-blade and 3-blade configurations; sold to RV builders via OEM agreement; composite pricing from $4,350 to $5,710 and metal pricing from $6,289 to $9,225.
• QuickBuild Pre-Assembled Kits Partially pre-assembled kit option with wings and fuselages professionally built at contract facilities in the Philippines and Brazil, reducing homebuilder assembly time. Available across RV models.
• Online Parts Store E-commerce storefront at store.vansaircraft.com offering individual parts, hardware, accessories, and non-kit items for RV aircraft maintenance and completion.
• Construction Classes and Builder Assist Educational and hands-on programs at Van's facilities that teach homebuilders aircraft construction techniques and provide in-person builder assist.
• Builder Technical Support Phone- and email-based technical support from experienced in-house builders and pilots available during business hours, helping kit customers resolve construction issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Safety record equivalent to or better than general aviation fleet
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FuuzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Van’s Aircraft partnered with Fuuz, an advanced cloud-based manufacturing solution provider. This partnership marks a significant step in Van's manufacturing modernization process, enabling transition from legacy ERP systems with limited manufacturing functionality to a unified cloud MES and WMS approach.
• Lycoming EnginescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM agreement allowing Van's to offer factory-new Lycoming experimental and Thunderbolt engines at favorable prices to RV builders with assigned serial numbers. Engines ordered through Van's and drop-shipped from Lycoming.
• Hartzell PropellerscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM agreement enabling Van's to offer new Hartzell constant-speed propellers at favorable prices exclusively to RV customer builders with Van's assigned serial numbers.
• Sensenich PropellerscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM agreement allowing Van's to offer new fixed-pitch and composite Sensenich propellers at favorable prices to RV builders with Van's serial numbers.
• Joby AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrated Joby Aviation's FAA Part 141 certification as a significant step toward commercial electric air taxi operations. Relationship reflects Van's interest in future of electric aviation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Lancair International: Lancair builds high-performance, composite kit aircraft (e.g., Lancair Evolution, Legacy) for the same high-end experimental homebuilder demographic that buys high-end RV kits like the RV-10, pursuing "Total Performance" speed and efficiency characteristics in kit form.
• Zenith Aircraft: Zenith Aircraft is one of the closest direct competitors to Van's in the amateur-built kit aircraft market, producing all-metal STOL and cruiser kits (STOL CH 750, Zodiac, Cruzer) that compete head-to-head with RV-series kits in the same EAB/experimental category and target similar homebuilder and flight-school customers.
• RANS Aircraft: RANS Aircraft designs and sells the S-19, S-20 and other kit aircraft targeting the recreational homebuilder and light sport market, competing with Van's in the same FAA EAB/SLSA channels and with similar direct-to-consumer kit-based business model.
• Glasair Aviation (Stoddard-Hamilton Glasair): Glasair Aviation produces composite kit-built aircraft (Sportsman, Glasair III) for amateur builders seeking high-performance piston aircraft, competing in the same EAB/experimental category as Van's and targeting overlapping high-end homebuilder customers.
• Kitfox Aircraft: Kitfox Aircraft manufactures light kit-built STOL/sport aircraft (Kitfox Series 7) competing directly with Van's RV models for the homebuilder and backcountry recreational pilot segment, with a long-running kit-only sales model similar to Van's standard kit business.
• Sling Aircraft (The Airplane Factory): Sling Aircraft produces the Sling 2 and Sling 4 LSA/kit aircraft in South Africa, offering comparable matched-hole aluminum kit construction and a similar "build it yourself and fly" value proposition to Van's RV series, including factory-built SLSA variants for flight schools.

Emerging players

• Joby Aviation: Joby Aviation is a well-funded eVTOL air-taxi company that recently received FAA Part 141 certification; while it does not sell kit aircraft, it is a strategic partner/peer to Van's in the sense that both companies are participating in the future of electric personal/commuter aviation, and Joby's progress represents the broader competitive landscape Van's RV fleet could face over the next decade.
• Pipistrel (Textron eAviation): Pipistrel was acquired by Textron to pursue electric LSA and trainer aircraft (Velis Electro, Panthera) and is now positioned as an emerging electric-LSA player; it overlaps with Van's through the light-sport/flight-school segment and is one of the first movers in electric-powered training aircraft, intersecting with Van's magniX electric RV-10 demonstrator strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Cirrus Aircraft: Cirrus Aircraft is a larger, broader general-aviation incumbent that builds factory-built SR22/SR20 piston aircraft with the largest piston single-engine fleet in GA; while it produces complete certified aircraft rather than kits, it represents the dominant alternative to kit-building for pilots comparing factory-built LSA/GA ownership to Van's RV-12iS SLSA and high-end RV kits.
• Tecnam (Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam): Tecnam is an established LSA and light twin manufacturer (P2002, P2006T, Tecnam Astore) producing factory-built aircraft used by flight schools and private owners globally, making it a broader-incumbent peer to Van's RV-12iS SLSA/Trainer in the flight-school and recreational/IFR training market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/vansaircraft
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/vansweb
• Facebookfacebook.com/121827541221519
• Instagraminstagram.com/vansaircraftinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vans-aircraft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Van’s Aircraft of Aurora