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December 14, 2009

Aero-TV: Van’s Aircraft Factory – Where the RV SportPlanes Begin

Join ANN on a Tour of the Van’s Aircraft Facility in Aurora, Oregon

The 60,000 square foot Van’s Aircraft facility, located in Aurora Oregon, is a far cry from the company’s beginnings. Over 30 years ago, in a small shop behind his house in Reedville, Oregon, Richard VanGrunsven pursued his love of aviation. While not working as a mechanical engineer, he spent his hours designing and building his first plane, a re-engineered Playboy airframe. Renamed the RV-1, the aircraft had a 125 hp Lycoming engine, bubble canopy, Hoerner style wingtips, and a set of cantilever aluminum wings.

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AIA: Aerospace Workforce Imperiled by Funding Cuts

Organization Warns Of Declining U.S. Leadership In Space In Congressional Testimony

U.S. preeminence in aerospace is threatened by aging demographics and uncertainty over the future of the U.S. space program and adequate funding to support it, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said Thursday in testimony before the House Committee on Science and Technology.