It probably shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the most hotly anticipated kitplane debut at EAA Oshkosh – the new high wing RV-15 would – would also give us our most popular video of 2022.
Ed Hicks
26 December 2022
Having been announced at Oshkosh 2021, the aviation world knew that Van’s Aircraft were working on a backcountry capable, high-wing aircraft. But aside from some basic information, we were all left wondering about the specifics of the kitplane that Van’s were going to reveal to the world at Osh ’22.
Would the aircraft be finished, and make a flying arrival at the show? Van’s wasn’t talking and the world kept guessing… that was until early July when some grainy spyshots of the RV-15 making it’s first flight from Van’s HQ in Aurora, Oregon appeared. Rather than have the world speculate over a couple of grainy photos, Van’s quickly released a teaser video that we quickly analysed…
The teaser video was a smart move, and the weeks from then until Osh 22 were filled with RV-15 chatter. The Engineering Prototype of the aircraft made its physical debut on the opening day of the show, and was mobbed every that followed.
We were lucky to get one of the first in-depth interviews with Van’s President and Chief Technical Officer, Rian Johnson, which went on to become our most-watched video of the year…
If you still want more on the RV-15, then check out FLYER‘s post-Oshkosh RV-15 feature… it’s got some exclusive behind the scenes photos of the development and building of the prototype.
We’re looking forward to seeing the production prototype next year.
