AURORA, OR—Van’s Aircraft, well known for a long line of two- and four-place aircraft kits now numbering more than 10,000, will soon begin building complete aircraft on a new assembly line the company is creating here for future RV-12iS and RV-12-iST SLSA models. The move is seen as the next step in a plan Van’s began several years ago to implement a comprehensive SLSA program to deliver the RV-12 as a ready-to-fly, certified light-sport aircraft for individual and flight school use.

Over the last year, that program has grown to include the next-generation SLSA RV-12iS and, most recently, the RV-12iST trainer aircraft. As the RV-12 SLSA program matured, Van’s expanded its workforce and capabilities to include marketing and production aircraft construction, improving processes and technologies along the way.

Since the launch of the RV-12 SLSA program, Van’s has offered finished aircraft through its assembly partner, Synergy Air, that now includes the RV-12iST trainer. Van’s said Synergy Air will continue expanding into the builder-assist arena, having recently opening a second builder-assist center in Georgia. Van’s Aircraft said all SLSA aircraft will continue to be fully-supported by the company’s technical and business support teams.