First Factory-Built Van's RV-12 Delivered

First Factory-Built Van’s RV-12 Delivered

Mark Phelps

Thursday, June 06, 2013 at 08:01 PM ET

Verified

** George Longino**

Key Takeaways:

George Longino became the first owner of a factory-built, fly-away Van's RV-12 Special-Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA).
This purchase marks a significant "leap of faith" for Van's Aircraft, a company traditionally known for manufacturing kit aircraft, as they enter the production aircraft market.
Longino, a pilot who preferred not to build a kit, eagerly signed on as the first customer when he learned Van's would offer factory-assembled RV-12s.

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George Longino is probably not your classic “early adopter” type. But a collection of circumstances make him the first owner of a fly-away, factory-built Van’s RV-12 — and just maybe, a historic figure.

Van’s Aircraft decided to enter the production aircraft market after decades of building kits. Founder Richard Van Grunsven has established the most successful kit aircraft factory ever, and the move to factory production of fly-away S-LSAs (Special-Light Sport Aircraft) represents a leap of faith for the Aurora, Oregon, company.