The RV-12 is Van’s newest design — the latest in the most successful line of kit aircraft in the world.

It’s a two-seat all-metal side-by-side airplane with a large cabin that seats the occupants ahead of the wing spar for maximum room and superb visibility. There are several features that make it a unique RV:

The RV-12 meets the certification standards of the Light Sport Aircraft category. Extensive and thorough testing has demonstrated compliance with LSA performance and structural requirements. It is what we say it is and does what we say it does, and we have the test data to prove it! Extensive testing means the RV-12 is not the first LSA kit on the market, but it might be the best understood.

The wings are quickly and easily removable. Using methods proven over decades by high-performance sailplanes, two people can have the wings off an RV-12 in less than five minutes, making the airplane easy to transport on a trailer and keep off-airport.

It is powered by a Rotax 912ULS 100 hp engine. This rugged little engine hasn’t become the world-wide standard in light sport aircraft by accident. Extended real world experience has shown it to be durable, reliable, and economical. It is designed to use unleaded autogas, and with slightly more attention, it is happy on 100LL.

The RV-12 is equipped with a new Sensenich wood/composite propeller — light, smooth and affordable. The low empty weight allows a generous useful load — two 210 lb people, 20 gallons of fuel and 50 lbs of baggage — something rare in the Light Sport Category.

The best news is that it flies like an RV! The RV-12 has all the performance the Light Sport Category permits as well as excellent handling qualities at all speeds. It is very docile on take-off and landing and pleasantly quick and agile in the air.

We conservatively estimate that the average builder will spend about 600-900 hours to complete an un-painted RV-12.

Van’s Aircraft plans on submitting the RV-12 prototype for Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) approval. When this is received, RV-12 builders may build and license conforming airplanes in the E-LSA category.

Although the E-LSA category does not permit builders to vary from the kit or plans (no unapproved engines, propellers, etc. are allowed) it does have some very attractive features. In the E-LSA category, there is no “51%” rule, and no restriction on who may assist in building the airplane. This allows any amount of help, professional assistance or even a fully professional-built airplane.

In February 2008, the FAA stopped reviewing new kits for compliance with Experimental-Amateur Built category. Van’s Aircraft, Inc. is unable to predict the ultimate effect of the moratorium on the E-AB eligibility of RV-12 kits, but from the information currently available, E-AB certification will still be allowed on an individual basis. Responsibility for demonstrating compliance with the “51%” rule will rest entirely with the builder.

In the E-LSA category builder-constructed airplanes must match the S-LSA prototype exactly. Although the RV-12 was designed with these accessories in mind, the initial prototype does not have them installed. We plan to make optional items available to E-LSA RV-12 builders in the future, but at this point we are not sure how long that might take.