Van's Aircraft RV-12
Van's Aircraft · United States · first flew 2006 · light aircraft
The Van's Aircraft RV-12 is a two-seat Light Sport Aircraft designed by Van's to be flown with an LSA certificate, featuring side-by-side seating, Rotax 912 power, and all-metal kit construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Light Sport Aircraft-compliant Van's two-seater with Rotax 912 engine
- Side-by-side seating in a low-wing all-metal kit airframe
- Designed to meet FAA Light Sport Aircraft speed and weight limits
Smaller and lighter than the RV-9 with a shorter, stubbier fuselage and side-by-side cockpit; the Rotax engine gives a distinctive smaller cowling than Lycoming-powered RVs; identifiable as a Van's product by the characteristic tapered low wing and aluminium construction.
Specifications
- The Van's Aircraft RV-12 has a length of 6.07 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.15 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 222 km/h (138 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 2006, the RV-12 was Van's response to the FAA's introduction of the Light Sport Aircraft category, providing a Van's-quality kit that could be flown with a Sport Pilot certificate. The RV-12iS followed with a fuel-injected Rotax 912iS engine, and the type has sold in large numbers to builders worldwide.
Variants
The RV-12 and RV-12iS are the main variants, differing primarily in their Rotax engine choice (carburetted vs. fuel-injected); configuration details such as avionics vary by builder.
Where you'll see it
Operated by private owners and flight training organisations in the experimental and Light Sport Aircraft categories in the US and internationally.
Related aircraft
- Van's Aircraft RV-10
- Van's RV-7
- Van's Aircraft RV-14
- Van's Aircraft RV-9
- Arion Lightning
- Cessna 162 Skycatcher
- Challenger 605
- Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.