Robin Coss Aviation’s humble beginnings began with Robin (a qualified aircraft engineer and entrepreneur at heart) and his big dreams of building his own aeroplane.  This he accomplished by building his first Vans RV-6 (ZU-BSU) in a small single garage. 

This led to the building of an RV-8 (ZU-CLI) in a slightly larger garage.  CLI is still one of Robin’s favourite aircraft – with its “WOW” red and yellow fireworks paint scheme, it set the tone for some amazing paint designs to come out of the RCA factory. This aircraft was painted in Robin’s garden … today Robin Coss Aviation has wonderful professional spray booths and fantastic team of spray painters.

Robin upgraded from the garage to a factory, took on a couple of staff members and officially started Robin Coss Aviation (RCA) in 2003.  Over the following couple of years, more factory space was acquired; more aviation enthusiasts joined the RCA team and a whole lot more fantastic aircraft had been built and good reputation in the world of aviation had been established.

2007 saw RCA move to bigger and better premises in Airport Industria as well as taking on hangarage space at Cape Town International Airport.  The spacious environment has allowed for continual upgrading of facilities and equipment to allow for constant improvement to the products produced by RCA.

Today the RCA team is made up of about 30 individuals with a wide variety of talents.  Included in the team of aviation enthusiasts are licensed and unlicensed engineers, spray painters, assistants, administrators and apprentices.  It is this team that is responsible for making RCA the company it is today – a company that has proudly gained a reputation for its quality and superb finishes.

RCA is probably best known for building two and four-seater Vans RV Aircraft.  This aerobatic, all-metal aircraft are custom built for individuals in South Africa.  RCA not only builds these aircraft, but provides the Lycoming Kit Engines for them too, being the first and only Lycoming Kit Engine shop outside of the USA.  RCA further provides the service of maintaining the RVs under their AMO 1147.

The RCA team further provides a spray painting service for aircraft, specializing in rotary wing.  Some prime examples of the work carried out by the RCA spray painting team can be seen in our Gallery.

RCA has also provided a service to the Red Cross Air Mercy Service, developing and constructing medical kits for their fleet of aircraft.  This is an ongoing project and the developmental improvements in this field have been astounding.

At RCA there are always new opportunities arising, products being developed and improved upon – all to our customers’ benefit.  There is always something exciting happening in this company, whether it is implementing an apprentice program, taking part in a formation flight of RV’s with the Silver Falcon Pilots or watching a customer beam as he joins the RV Grin department as he flies his new aircraft for the first time!   Whatever the work, event or challenge, the RCA team enjoys providing their contribution to the aviation world!  

So … watch this space … and see what we come up with next!