With the entire kit-built aircraft community reacting to the news of Van’s Aircraft filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, AVweb sister-publication Kitplanes has posted a reaction to the legal filing titled “How Did They Get Here?” While noting that Chapter 11 is the track typically resulting in reorganization and a continuation of the business, as opposed to liquidation, the Kitplanes analysis of the legal papers points to a confluence of circumstances leading up to the financial straits Van’s finds itself in.
In summary, the Kitplanes report concludes: “That in the effort to catch up with demand the company also lost track of internal costs and failed to increase kit prices (as one remedy) is one inescapable takeaway from the factual descriptions in the Chapter 11 declaration—and a good indication of the remedies needed to define its path forward.”
Off shore supplies and parts. Not properly corrosion proof. I can just bet which country said parts came from….
You want a good part at a fair price or you want a lesser quality part at a cheaper price?
We have met the enemy. He are us.
Ancient proverb: Ambitious bean counters and poor on site QC invite out-of-spec parts from overseas suppliers. (Been there!)
I believe the quickbuilds were built in the philipines. They ran out of the proper primer
and sourced another primer. Who knows if Vans was made aware of this, or only after the corrosion problem developed. I also believe Vans was setting up the quickbuilds to be built now in brazil.
For gods sakes build them in aurora or. Direct factory oversight, Cut out all the shipping costs. American built and assembled and good quality. Sonex does this.
Wishing for the best for all builders, creditors, employees .
Van to righten the ship, hes mid 80’s . Best of luck.