3 March 2026
Van’s Aircraft says the next major kit for its highly anticipated backcountry aircraft, the RV-15, is nearing production, with tail kit deliveries expected to begin in May 2026.
According to an update from Van’s Aircraft, production of the empennage kit is scheduled to start in April, with shipments leaving the factory by the end of May. Initial output is planned at around two kits per working day — about 10 per week.
Early access will be offered to builders who already have RV-15 wing kits delivered or on order. These customers will receive a priority ordering window of roughly 10 working days before sales open to new buyers, with kit shipments prioritised by order date.
The tail design has recently been finalised following flight and structural testing. The aircraft uses a trimmable horizontal stabiliser, allowing a smaller tail volume and reduced weight while maintaining the handling characteristics typical of the RV series.
The RV-15 programme entered production in late 2025 with the wing kit, priced at around $21,000 and featuring factory-built 60 US gallon fuel tanks and large Vortex Generator (VG) equipped flaps designed to deliver strong low-speed performance.
Large flaps on the RV-15 have Vortex Generators along the top edge to improve slow speed performance. Photo: Van’s
Van’s said, “This wing, which uses a custom airfoil, is the result of extensive testing on the RV-15 engineering prototype. We’re thrilled with its performance, especially the large, efficient flaps that give the airplane unmatched low-speed handling and, because they’re so efficient we could reduce wing area, help improve cruise speed — all while preserving the kind of intuitive and balanced ‘RV handling’ that pilots love.”
Further kits are expected later in 2026, with fuselage and firewall-forward packages anticipated to go on sale in August and finish kits planned by November.
The RV-15 is designed as a two-seat utility aircraft with a projected cruise speed of around 140kt and a stall speed below 45kt.
