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Tec Voc High School receives RV6 Aircraft

May 19, 2022 News Story
2021-22 Grade 12 Aerospace students Left to right: Rania German, Ivan Banal, Carenz Oduca, Jamie Smith, Chris Ignacio, Amrit Graya, Caleb Bremner, Nicole Sumbilla

– Photos and files courtesy of Tec Voc


During spring break 2022, Tec Voc High School received a training aircraft that will be utilized by both the high school and post-high Aviation and Aerospace Technologies Program students.

The aircraft will be implemented in the new building and facility expansion recently announced by the Winnipeg School Division. Built entirely by hand, the aircraft is classified as a “kit aircraft.”

This particular RV6 has a unique history; its life began at Tec Voc as a project started in conjunction with Manitoba Aerospace in 2001-2005. Some of the major components were first fabricated at Tec Voc by the Aerospace Program students. It was then sent to Murdoch MacKay Collegiate, under the guidance of Metals and Machining Teacher, Peter Brown, to allow students to continue fabricating components of the aircraft. When Murdoch MacKay completed their contribution to the project, it was then shipped to Red River College’s Stevenson Campus, where more work was completed.

Now the aircraft returns to Tec Voc to have the remaining work completed.

While the aircraft will never fly, once fully assembled by the aerospace students it will be used for many years to come as a training and educational aid.

The RV6 at-a-glance:

  • Classified as a “kit” aircraft and is built in sections each requiring inspections by Transport Canada Aviation in order to gain certification for flight;
  • The manufacturer of this aircraft kit (Van’s Aircraft) is the largest kit aircraft manufacturer in the world;
  • Top speed is 200 mph, can fly up to 20,000 feet, can climb at 1,710 feet per minute and has a 160 horsepower 4 cylinder reciprocating engine;
  • The aircraft weighs 965 pounds empty and once fully fueled and loaded can weigh as much as 1600 pounds;
  • The aircraft is delivered in 4 separate kits, each consisting of a different major section with the interior parts, such as the seats and engine, being the last kit;
  • More than 2600 aircraft of this model have been flown to date;
  • Learn more from: https://www.vansaircraft.com/rv-6/ 

Special thanks to the staff at RRC Polytech Stevenson Campus for all the help.

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