Van's Rv-12

Single Piston· 648 globally registered

The Van's RV-12 is a two-seat, low-wing light sport aircraft that became the first fully compliant S-LSA kit aircraft when it was introduced in 2006, designed specifically to meet the FAA's new light sport aircraft category weight and performance limits. Built by Van's Aircraft of Aurora, Oregon (the world's most prolific kit aircraft manufacturer), the RV-12 is unique in the RV family for being the only model that can be flown with a sport pilot certificate and the only one offered as both an ELSA (Experimental Light Sport Aircraft) kit and a factory-built S-LSA. Its all-metal construction, side-by-side seating, and docile handling characteristics have made it a favorite among flight schools and first-time builders alike, with over 1,000 flying examples worldwide by the early 2020s. Powered by a 100-horsepower Rotax 912ULS engine and featuring a Dynon glass cockpit as standard equipment, the RV-12 cruises at around 120 knots while burning just 4.5 gallons per hour, offering an economical entry point into the Van's RV series that has dominated the homebuilt market for decades. The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds sits right at the LSA limit, and its stall speed of 38 knots in landing configuration provides comfortable margins for student pilots and recreational flyers. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.