Van's Aircraft RV-12
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1]
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[edit] 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 construction
The 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.
[edit] Production
Partial RV-12 kits became available to customers in April 2008. Complete kits will be available in the near future.[1]
[edit] 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.
[edit] Specifications (RV-12)
Specifications are given for 100 hp, Rotax 912S configuration with a ground-adjustable propeller General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 19 ft 11 in (6.12 m)
- Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.21 m)
- Height: ()
- Wing area: 120 ft² (11.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,320 lb (600 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,320 lb (600 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Rotax 912S with a Sensenich composite ground-adjustable propeller, 100 hp (74 kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: mph (km/h)
- Maximum speed: 138 mph at sea level (223 km/h)
- Range: 520 statute miles at cruise 75% power at 8,000 ft (842 km at cruise 75% power at 2,500 m)
- Wing loading: 11.0 lb/ft² (55 kg/m²)
[edit] Related content
[edit] Related development
[edit] Similar aircraft
[edit] References
- ^ a b AvWeb Staff (April 2000). Vans RV-12 Light Sport Aircraft. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
- Av Web Article about the RV-12
- Van's Aircraft RV-12 spec sheet and photo
- RV-12 First Flight announcement
- RV-12 aircraft information page accessed 11 January 2007
[edit] External links
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