Aircraft Assembly Centre
Flights in Port Elizabeth

Aircraft Assembly Centre specialise in the assembly of the RV-7 and RV-10 models, a versatile aircraft ideally suited to South African flying conditions, we also offer the assembly services of all RV models. All, except the RV-3, RV-4 and RV-10 are available in both tricycle and taildragger configurations. They are generally suited for aerobatics with their responsive controls, are all-aluminium, from the single seat RV-3 to the latest RV-12, and offer both good speed and fuel economy.Van's RV series of aircraft, low-wing monoplanes of monocoque construction. The RV series of airplanes are extremely successful; there are thousands of RV's flying, making the series one of the most numerous of all kit built aircraft. All tricycle gear model designations except the RV-10 carry an "A" at the end . RV aircraft are aerobatic, with the exception of the RV-9 and RV-10Aircraft Assembly Centre grew from a passion for flying, and with captain Tony Bailes.

Port Elizabeth based Aircraft Assembly Center specialises in the assembly of the Van’s RV Aircraft. The Aircraft Assembly Centre is an approved professional aircraft build facility for RV’s in South Africa, both with SACAA and with the RV manufacturers, Van’s Aircraft. Owner Managed by Anthony Bailes, an experienced pilot with over 20 000 flying hours and extensive Aircraft build experience; who is involved with each and every build to ensure a high build standard throughout the assembly of all aircraft. The factory built Van’s RV Aircraft are build around your needs and preferences. All aspects of upholstery and the upgrading of upholstery for TCA and NTCA aircraft. She will be ready for all test flying at the beginning of the new year. She should be up and flying within the next week or so. RV Aircraft have been manufactured by American kit aircraft manufacturer, Van’s Aircraft since In the 1970s, an engineer, Richard (Van) Van Grunsven’s RV-3 aircraft impressed a lot of people and Van’s Aircraft Inc. began in After twenty years and several expansions, the company moved to a 60,000 square foot facility and produce several hundred complete aircraft kits a year. RV Aircraft are low-wing monoplanes of traditional aluminum construction. Aileron and elevators are controlled by a between-the-knees stick. The primary bending loads of the wing are carried by the single main spar. All RV wings are relatively low aspect ratio, constant chord designs with no taper or twist. The low wing loading, allows climb and altitude performance which are unusually good for an airplane of such short span. These are turbulent flow airfoils with very low pitching moments. They do not require perfectly smooth surfaces to achieve good performance, so they remain almost unaffected by bugs and rain. The low pitching moment allows cruise trim drag to be kept to a minimum. Safety is paramount and forward visibility and safety are close relatives with upright rather than supine seating. Operational safety and crash survivability, are primary concerns. To limit the possibility of accidents, RVs have excellent controllability, gentle stall characteristics, superb visibility and low landing speed. RV’s provide generous legroom, shoulder room and head room. Minor modifications are possible to allow even taller people to fit.