2 Van's RV-12iS for sale on ClearProp →
Live listingsOverview
Van's two-seat light-sport machine designed to the ASTM LSA standards from day one — build it as an ELSA kit (powerplant + avionics INCLUDED in the kit total) or buy the factory SLSA. Wings come off in minutes for trailer transport; the kit's step-by-step plans make it the most beginner-friendly RV. The RV-12iST trainer is the flight-school variant.
Pros
- ✓ Kit includes Rotax 912iS + avionics (complete = flyable)
- ✓ Removable wings = hangar economics
- ✓ Sport-pilot flyable; huge training adoption
Cons
- ✗ LSA 1,320 lb envelope limits loads
- ✗ Rotax service network required
- ✗ Slower cruise than the larger RVs
Full specification
Identity
| Manufacturer | Van's Aircraft (United States) |
| Status | In production |
| First flight | 2005 |
Classification
| Class | Light-Sport |
| Build form | Kit |
| Part 103 eligible | No |
| LSA eligible | Yes |
| Materials | aluminum |
| Gear | tri |
| Mission | trainer, cross-country |
Capacity
| Seats | 2 (side-by-side) |
| Engine options | Rotax 912 iS Sport (100 hp) · Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp) |
| Power | 100 hp |
| Fuel type | mogas (91 AKI+), 100LL, UL94 |
Performance
| Cruise | 120 mph |
| Stall | 45 mph |
| Vne | 136 mph |
| Range | 493 sm |
| Climb | 1,000 fpm |
| Ceiling | 17,300 ft |
| Takeoff dist. | 700 ft |
| Landing dist. | 525 ft |
Weights
| Useful load | 545 lb |
| Gross weight | 1,320 lb |
| Empty weight | 775 lb |
Dimensions
| Wingspan | 26.75 ft |
| Length | 19.58 ft |
| Height | 8.33 ft |
| Wing area | 127 sq ft |
| Cabin width | 43 in |
| Rotor (gyro/trike) | — |
Economics
| Kit price (base) | $122,800 |
| Kit price (complete) | — |
| Plans price | — |
| Est. finished cost | $185,000 |
Compiled from: vansaircraft.com/rv-12is spec tables · RV-12iS POH Rev13 (2026) · kit price sheet (includes powerplant/avionics) — verify current kit pricing with the manufacturer.
Notable variants
- RV-12iST (SLSA trainer)
- RV-12 legacy build
FAQ
- What's in an RV-12iS kit?
- Six sub-kits INCLUDING the Rotax 912iS powerplant kit ($50,000 of $122,800 kit total) and the Dynon SkyView avionics kit ($25,500–$49,500) — fluids and paint are the only exclusions.