EAAer Creates Pedal RV, Offers Plans for Sale

February 5, 2015 - Jerry Folkerts, EAA 102697, of Troy, Missouri, is selling plans for the first kit pedal plane patterned after the Van’s RV series of homebuilts. Over the past year he and a friend who is a retired machinist put the finishing touches on The Pedal RV. This past week their website went live and orders for the $69.95 plan sets ($10 shipping) are being taken. Earlier this week Folkerts said he had already shipped out 10 sets of plans.

Folkerts, president of EAA Chapter 1387, will donate $5 to the chapter’s Young Eagles program efforts for each set of plans sold.

Folkerts’ “secret” project was prompted by a post on the Van’s Air Force forum in early 2014 suggesting that someone design a child’s pedal airplane made out of aluminum that looked like an RV.

His friend, Charlie Eubanks, provided the expertise and advice as the two devised a design and construction plan and began cutting aluminum. Over the summer Folkerts fashioned the pieces, clecoed everything up, and Eubanks disassembled and precisely measured before final riveting. In the fall they created an extensive 21-page manual featuring lots of photos along with 2 by 3 foot dimension CAD drawings.

“Maybe in a couple of years we can have a judging contest at Oshkosh for outstanding workmanship!” Folkerts said. He also suggested chapters could build one and auction it off as a fundraiser.

Folkerts flew in the Air Force and has also built a Pietenpol. He’s about two years away from completing a Murphy Super Rebel.