Van’s Aircraft RV-15 Update

By Robbie Culver

The Van’s Aircraft RV-15 is on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 with a stunning paint job, a new wing, and a new tail. Chief engineer Rian Johnson said: “We went through a number of flight iterations in the last year. We’ve flown multiple sets of ailerons, about three different flap configurations, and several new empennages.” Rian added the aircraft “flies like an RV, while at the same time having that STOL bush performance, which is new for us.”

The new wing was flown in June and further tested into July. In an update on their website, the company stated: “The entire flap system, from the slot/hinge system to the cable-operated, floor-mounted handle, are being evaluated; so far, we’re really happy with the improvements. The airplane flies straight, stalls well, and performs exceptionally well in slow flight.”

The design features Van’s first high-wing backcountry-capable model. As with all of Van’s aircraft, the construction is all metal. The first release of the RV-15 is a tailwheel aircraft, with a tricycle gear (RV-15A) to follow. According to Van’s website, the RV-15 features a suspension system for the main and tail gear designed for the backcountry and is designed to carry two people and “lots of stuff.” Van’s hopes to offer a floatplane option in the future.

The trip to AirVenture was from the factory in Oregon via Billings, Montana, to Aberdeen, South Dakota, and on to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in one day. “With 60-gallon tanks, that’s impressive,” Rian said. “I got to Billings with 33 gallons used. So it’s a very impressive airplane from a range standpoint. Billings is way past the backcountry where you would have wanted to stop with that extra fuel. … And to make it to La Crosse, in a high-wing bushplane in one day, that’s impressive from Portland, Oregon.”

“There’s a number of areas where there’s extra drag,” he said, adding that they were just underneath their target cruise speed in their most recent flights. “The top of the gear leg towers, that’s going to get tucked into the fuselage and have fairings on it. So in many areas we haven’t cleaned up the airplane yet. We feel that we will easily be able to make our target of 140 knots and cruise in the final configuration of the airplane.”

The big question for prospective builders is when the kits will be available for purchase. “We expect to release kits by the end of the year,” Rian said.

Van’s will be making further announcements at AirVenture this week. Rian added: “Performance is great, so we’ve exceeded our performance expectations on the airplane. It handles like an RV, and it’s fun to fly. So we hope you come and buy a kit!” As the interview with Rian concluded, two prospective builders were literally lined up to ask when the kits would be available.

You can find Van’s Aircraft in the Homebuilt Aircraft Display area in Booth 604.

More information about the RV-15 is available at vansaircraft.com.