Van's Aircraft Rv-15

Single Piston

The Van's RV-15 represents a significant departure for Van's Aircraft, the world's most prolific kit aircraft manufacturer. Introduced in 2021, the RV-15 is Van's first high-wing design in a product line historically dominated by low-wing sport aircraft, and its first model explicitly optimized for backcountry and bush flying rather than speed or aerobatics. With a 3,600-pound gross weight, robust landing gear, and large tires, the RV-15 targets the same mission as the Cessna 180 and Maule M-7 but offers modern construction, better fuel efficiency, and the cost advantages of amateur-built certification. Powered by engines ranging from 180 to 210 horsepower, the RV-15 cruises around 140 knots while retaining docile low-speed handling with a stall speed near 51 knots in landing configuration. Its high-wing configuration provides excellent ground visibility and simplified access to the cabin, while the design accommodates oversized tundra tires and optional floats. The aircraft seats two side-by-side with generous baggage capacity, making it practical for remote operations where payload and short-field performance matter more than outright speed. As a relatively new design, the RV-15 is still in the early stages of fleet growth, with builders worldwide working through construction. Van's Aircraft itself operates the prototype for continued flight testing and demonstration purposes. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.