- Van's Aircraft RV-12
The Van's RV-12 is two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplane eligible for the US LSA category sold in kit form by Van's Aircraft.
The RV-12 had its first flight on November 9, 2006. Deliveries of partial kits commenced in April 2008. cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1088-full.html|title = Vans RV-12 Light Sport Aircraft|accessdate = 2008-04-11|last = AvWeb Staff|authorlink = |year = 2000|month = April]
Development
The architect of the line of Van’s aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven, designed the RV-12 with several specific goals in mind. These include:
* Flying qualities equal to or better than the standard set by the RV-9A
* 550 lb. payload – to carry a projected load of a 190 pound pilot and passenger, 120 pounds of fuel (20 US Gallons) and 50 pounds of baggage or cargo.
* 750 lb aircraft empty weight
* Cabin width of 43 inches
* A low parts count, with an aim of reducing kit cost and construction time
* Minimal use of composites and maximum use of aluminum
* Maximum use of simple hand tools only for constructionThe LSA class limits aircraft to a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg), a maximum clean, stall speed with no flaps of 51 mph (45 knots) and a maximum level speed of 138 mph (120 knots). The production RV-12 is projected to meet those maximum limits.
The prototype incorporates several new features for an RV-series aircraft including: removable wings, full-span flaperons and an all-moving stabilator. It is intended that the RV-12 will be powered by a Rotax 912S engine of 100 hp and equipped with a Sensenich composite ground-adjustable propeller.
Van’s Aircraft is intending to produce the RV-12 as a 51% kit, the same as all other aircraft in the RV-series. The US LSA rules allow kits where the builder does less than the majority of the work and a kit with this feature may be made available in the longer term. There are no plans to produce a completed factory-built aircraft, possibly due to liability concerns.
The cost of the RV-12 kit is projected to be in-line with the cost of other RV-series aircraft. This indicates that the quick-build version of the kit will cost about USD$25,000 and the total cost to construct a simply-equipped completed aircraft will be about USD$55,000.
Production
Partial RV-12 kits became available to customers in April 2008. Complete kits will be available in the near future.
Aircraft Type Club
Once aircraft are constructed and flying the RV-12 owners will be supported by a very active aircraft type club "Van's Air Force".
pecifications (RV-12)
Specifications are given for 100 hp, Rotax 912S configuration with a ground-adjustable propeller
aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=one pilot
capacity=one passenger
length main=19 ft 11 in
length alt=6.12 m
span main=26 ft 8 in
span alt=8.21 m
height main=
height alt=
area main=120 ft²area alt= 11.1 m²
empty weight main=750 lb
empty weight alt=340 kg
loaded weight main=1,320 lb
loaded weight alt=600 kg
max takeoff weight main= 1,320 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 600 kg
engine (prop)= Rotax 912S
type of prop= with a Sensenich composite ground-adjustable propeller
number of props=1
power main= 100 hp
power alt= 74 kWmax speed main= 138 mph at sea level
max speed alt= 223 km/h
never exceed speed main= mph
never exceed speed alt= km/h
range main=520 statute miles at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ftrange alt=842 km at cruise 75% power at 2,500 m
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=climb rate alt=
loading main=11.0 lb/ft²loading alt= 55 kg/m²
Related content
Related development
*
Van's Aircraft RV-9 imilar aircraft
* CZAW SportCruiser
*Europa XS
*Grumman American AA-1
*Thorp T-18 References
* [http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/12_31a/briefs/vans_rv12_lsa_192834-1.html Av Web Article about the RV-12]
* [http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/12.pdf Van's Aircraft RV-12 spec sheet and photo]
* [http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/739-full.html RV-12 First Flight announcement]
* [http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-12int.htm RV-12 aircraft information page] accessed 11 January 2007External links
* [http://vansaircraft.com/ Van's Aircraft]
* [http://www.vansairforce.net Van's Aircraft Type Club]
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