Van'S Aircraft Rv-12

Single Piston

The Van's RV-12 is a two-seat, low-wing light-sport aircraft designed by Van's Aircraft of Aurora, Oregon, and introduced in 2006 as the company's first fully S-LSA-compliant design. Built primarily as an amateur-built kit, the RV-12 is also available as a factory-completed Special Light-Sport Aircraft, making it accessible to pilots who prefer a ready-to-fly option or who fly under sport pilot privileges. Powered by a Rotax 912ULS engine producing 100 horsepower, the RV-12 cruises at approximately 120 knots and offers a maximum range of around 400 nautical miles, combining efficiency with the nimble handling characteristics that define the RV series. The aircraft's 1,320-pound maximum takeoff weight places it squarely within the light-sport category, allowing operation without a medical certificate under sport pilot rules in the United States. Its tricycle landing gear, side-by-side seating, and excellent visibility make it a popular choice for flight training, recreational flying, and cross-country touring. The RV-12 has become one of the best-selling light-sport kits worldwide, with over a thousand examples flying as of the early 2020s. Van's later introduced the RV-12iS variant with fuel injection and an upgraded avionics suite, further cementing the type's reputation as a modern, capable, and economical light aircraft. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators over routes, with the largest observed operator.