“I'm wondering if having the quick build parts built in the Philippines resulted in a lack of proper quality control. It appears so. Looking for cheaper off shore manufacturing can be costly. It really wasn't necessary, as the products commanded a sales price that would have supported US manufacturing with tax incentives to build a plant in many cities, even in low labor rate areas.”

Vans had a very long history of assembling the quick build kits in the Philippines. My understanding is the origin was a single kit sent to a serviceman stationed in the Philippines. He had the kit built by a local sheet metal shop that did beautiful work. Somehow this came to the attention of vans and for something like 20 plus years high quality kits were assembled there until Covid turned everything on its head.

If Vans was profitable with it's business model, and this is an unforeseen issue that can be resolved with a cash infusion to return to profitability, then the company should go on to be successful.

This is far different than having Vans aircraft falling out of the sky; in fact, because they haven't, and enjoyed a good safety and sales record, I'm optimistic. I wouldn't want to see the Chinese add another formerly American aviation company to their list of acquisitions.

The implementation of MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) could result in sport pilots buying Standard Airworthiness Certified airplanes like 172's, 150's and others rather than buying or building a Vans light sport aircraft. That could cool sales of Vans light sport planes.

That worked for Lancair /sarc

Well, they may not be shipping anything but if you want to pick stuff up... My friend just posted these pics from today picking stuff up at Van's.

Dave

I ordered something last Wednesday (before the video was released). It shipped yesterday.

Picking up pet supplies?

Re bad primer and corrosion on parts, I've seen several Van's with no primer, and they had no corrosion after years in service, which leads me to believe that the primer not only didn't prevent corrosion, it caused it.

Van's take, which you can find online, was that the corrosion on the QB kits appeared to have come from inadequate priming combined with sweat dripping on kits during assembly. Add to that a trip across the ocean in a container, and...

I can personally attest to the fact that building a kit can sometimes be a sweaty undertaking.

Those of us not directly impacted are able to see this from a big picture view. I thought about all of the builders out there and what they are going though as they are facing a no-win situation. Here is an 8 minute example where you can see the frustration and moreover the indecision about what to do next:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNF8j2FVE-A

Mark,
As you know, Glasair Aviation is having its own issues recently and has gone silent. I am assuming they are in the process of completing the move to China since they were sold to the Chinese earlier this year. Hopefully at some point they will begin responding to builders again. Fortunately, they are not having the manufacturing problems that Van's is currently experiencing.
-Bruce

Building an airplane is not for sissies.

That's Peanut. He fly's everywhere with Walt and Sherry in their RV-12.

Dave

I guess my RV6A just went up in value since it was plan built and not a quick build.

Dave

Building an airplane is not for sissies.

While there is some grumbling over on the Van's website, there is far more support, and gratitude for Van's being so transparent.
Van's has earned rabid customer loyalty.
There is even a thread of people willing to help others replace parts.

This is where Van's long history of open communication has paid off handsomely.
Is there any other airplane manufacturer, certified or experimental, where most airplanes meet, or exceed factory performance numbers?

Disclaimer: I'm building an RV-7. Purchased a partially-built kit that was originally delivered several years ago, so no laser cut parts.

I agree with both points, Alex.

I just finished building a plans built biplane that took me 13 years and the first piece of material was cut on this project ( by someone else ) in 1996. The pride and sense of accomplishment aside, building an airplane is such a daunting task and often an exercise in disappointment. Nobody understands this better than Van himself and I really feel for him. If it comes to deriveting structures (which appears to be where this is headed) I don’t know what these guys and gals do. The frustration and mental anguish aside, that structure is not going to provide one with the sense of satisfaction required to keep moving forward. At least I don’t see how it does but I hope I’m wrong.

Here’s the other thing, although this is “over there” in the experimental world this will effect all of GA with a few winners here and there (monetarily) but a challenge for all of us.