Van’s Aircraft Venture
Scott Dosson - Jason Flanigan - Jacob Schulz - Chi-Hong Yung
RV-8 Conceptual Design
Industrial Sponsor: Nicholas Montei
Industrial Advisor: Trevor Ruckle
Faculty Advisor: Mei Zhuang
Total Kit Price - $18,855.00
• Van’s Aircraft Inc. began in 1973 when they designed
Project Synopsis
The purpose of this project was twofold: first, provide JMT Farms with a high
performance conceptual RV-8 design that is
efficient and cost effective; secondly, assist
JMT Farms in the construction of a fully
functional RV-7 aircraft. The design of the
RV-8 included engine, propeller, and
instrumentation selection.
The main
concerns regarding the selection of these
components
deal
with
cost,
FAA
regulations, and unknown customer
preference.
This design is aimed at
providing the company with an aircraft that
fulfills FAA regulations while producing the
largest profit available. JMT Farms plans to
use the design of the RV-8 for future
production.
their first kit (the RV-3), since then 5,094 kits have
been completed.
• The kit includes all structural components, and
building plans.
• Engine, instruments, propeller, and interior must be
purchased separately according to pilot preference.
Design Team
The production of the RV-7 began with
a partially constructed aircraft.
Kit Components
Engine Price - $37,160.00
• Lycoming is the largest producer of experimental aircraft engines.
• The RV-8 model can fit engines of 160, 180, 200, and 260 horsepower.
• Comparing different aspects of the engines such as top speed, cruise
speed, and climb rate, it was determined that the 200 HP fuel injected
four cylinder engine was the best choice for the money.
Lycoming 360 Series
The first step was to construct the canopy
and tail assembly, including rudder,
elevators, and vertical-horizontal stabilizers.
Propeller Price - $2,090.00
• There are two categories of propellers to choose from; fixed pitch and
JMT Background
JMT Farms is a family owned business
based out of Caro, Michigan.
The
company is planning on producing high
performance planes utilizing kit aircraft
offered by Van’s Aircraft. These aircrafts
will then be marketed to pilots across the
country.
JMT Farms has recently
completed the construction of an UltraLight aircraft and is in the process of
selling it.
RV-7 Production
Sensenich Propellers
constant speed (C/S).
• Fixed Pitch props are efficient at one operating condition, while C/S are
efficient at all operating conditions and are on average 3X more
expensive.
• A Sensenich fixed pitch propeller was selected for the RV-8, because of
lower price and greater durability.
Instruments/Avionics Total Price - $13,431.70
• FAA regulations categorize planes as visual flight or instrument flight.
• Planes built in the Instrument Flight Rules category can be flown in
The next major step was to attach the motor
mount, landing gear, engine, and wings.
inclement weather, but require further pilot certification.
• Instruments can be purchased in digital combination units, or single
analog gauges. Digital display instruments have a luxurious appeal
and a slightly lower price, so they were chosen for the RV-8.
Economic Analysis
Build Time
# of Employees
Hourly Pay Rate
Total Plane Price
Labor/Utilities Price
Expected Sale Price
Profit Per Plane
Yearly Profit
3 Months 9 Days
4
$12.00
$85,228.51
$26,796.88
$113,451.94
$1,426.55
$5,135.57
• 2000 hour build time with a 5.00% interest rate
• Sale price based on current RV-8 selling prices
• This analysis does not include company start-up costs
such as location fees and equipment purchases
• It is recommended that JMT Farms does not put the
RV-8 into production, based on a low profit margin.
With the main structural components
completed, the team spent over 400 hours in
finalizing the construction of the aircraft.