Photograph:
Vans RV-12 VH-RPS (c/n 120-334) at Avalon, VIC in February 2015 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light touring and training aircraft
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912ULS four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.19 m (26 ft 9 in)
- Length: 6.06 m (19 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.56 m (8 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 11.79 m² (127 sq ft)
- Max speed: 217 km/h (135 mph)
- Cruising speed at 5000 rpm at 2,286 m (7,500 ft): 187 km/h (116 mph)
- Stalling speed: 76 km/h (47 mph)
- Rate of climb: 274 m (900 ft/min)
- Ceiling: 4,206 m (13,800 ft)
- Range at 2,286 m (7,500 ft) at 5,500 rpm: 893 km (555 miles)
- Range at 2,286 m (7,500 ft) at 5,000 rpm: 988 km (614 miles)
- Take-off roll: 213 m (700 ft)
- Landing roll: 163 m (535 ft);
- Empty weight: 336 kg (740 lb)
- Baggage capacity: 23 kg (50 lb)
- Loaded weight: 599 kg (1,320 lb)
History:
The Vans series of light aircraft kit planes has been the most popular for light aircraft homebuilders for some years and a variety of models has been available. Most are available to the general aviation market but the RV-12, released in 2008, is aimed at the light sports aircraft market. The development process for this model was different whereas other models were aimed at performance, the RV-12’s parameters were determined by the LSA regulations.
The RV-12 has been available in a number of kits to spread out the cost. It is fitted with a tricycle undercarriage and is powered by a 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912ULS engine driving a Sensenich composite ground adjustable propeller. Fuel capacity is 75.7 litres (16.6 Imp gals, 20 US gals).
The RV-12 is designed to be “trailerable” and the wings are able to be removed in five minutes so the aircraft can be hangared at home. All control connections are automatic and an ignition interlock prevents the engine from starting if the wings are not properly installed.
First of the type completed in this region was 19-5502 registered on 2 November 2009, followed by 19-7643 (c/n 120257) in 2010. First registered in New Zealand became ZK-YRV (c/n 45). It was followed by VH-RPS (c/n 120-334) to its owner at Knox City, VIC, VH-VDV (c/n 120319) on 26 November 2012, and ZK-MBA (c/n 120592) in October 2013. Further examples registered under RAA regulations include 19-7516 (c/n 120261), 19-7518 (c/n 120059), 19-8207 (c/n 120377), 19-8275 (c/n 120493) and 19-8486 (c/n 120543).
In 2017 a new model was released, this being the RV-12iS, this having the Rotax 912iS fuel-injected engine, the structure being strengthened for operation of the aircraft by flight training schools, having a new instrument panel layout, electric flaps and extra luggage space. At that time some 500 RV-12s were flying and almost 10,000 Vans aircraft overall had been completed.