Van's Aircraft has entered the LSA market with the first delivery of a factory-built RV-12.
Previously, Vans' RV range has been available as kit aircraft only. This move will bring the RV twelve into consideration for potential owners who didn't have the skills, time or inclination to build their own.
The two-seat aeroplane was delivered to customer George Longino from Texas, who collected it from the Vans plant in Aurora, Oregon on Saturday.
Richard (Dick) Van Grunsven - who's name appears on the side of Longino's LSA - founded Van's Aircraft in 1972, working from a small shop in Reedsville, Oregon. As of the end of 2012, over 8200 RV kits have been built around the world, of which 241 are RV-12s
The RV-12 is a tricycle undercart low wing powered by a Rotax 912ULS. It has a top speed of 117 knots and a 75% power cruise of 100 knots. It carries 75 litres of fuel and has a useable load of around 260 kg.