Vans RV-6 vs Vans RV-9
The Van's RV-6 and RV-9 are both two-seat, side-by-side kit aircraft from Van's Aircraft, but they were designed with different missions in mind. The RV-6 is a sport aircraft: it is aerobatic, uses Van's traditional wing, and typically flies behind engines up to about 180 horsepower, giving it lively handling. The RV-9 was designed from the start as a cross-country tourer — it is not aerobatic, and it uses a longer, higher-aspect-ratio wing with a Roncz airfoil optimised for efficient cruising, docile handling and good performance on lower-power engines in the roughly 118 to 160 horsepower range.
As with any amateur-built RV, exact performance depends on the builder's engine and equipment choices. In broad terms, the RV-6 rewards pilots who want aerobatics and sporty handling, while the RV-9 favours those who prioritise stable, efficient cross-country flying and easier handling for lower-time pilots. Both are capable, fast travelling aircraft for their power.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 9
- Median asking
- $110,000
- Range
- $83,800–$132,600
- Model years available
- 1992–2016
- For sale now
- 3
- Model years available
- 2004–2004
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Van's RV-6 | Van's RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3 | 1 |
| Serious | 0 | 0 |
| Fatal | 1 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 2 | 1 |
| % Fatal | 33% | 100% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Van's RV-6 | Van's RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $83,800 – $132,600 | $142,264 – $193,650 |
| Category | Experimental | Experimental |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 180 HP | 160 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 166 kts (307 km/h) | 160 kts (296 km/h) |
| Range | 630 nm (1,167 km) | 700 nm (1,296 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 22,000 ft (6,706 m) | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 620 lbs (281 kg) | 650 lbs (295 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $22,000 | $20,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $90 | $85 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateVan's RV-6
Van's RV-9
Which Should You Buy: Van's RV-6 or Van's RV-9?
Bottom line: The choice comes down to mission. Choose the RV-6 if you want aerobatic capability and sportier handling in a side-by-side cockpit. Choose the RV-9 if your flying is mostly cross-country and you value stability, efficiency and docile handling over aerobatics — its longer wing makes it especially efficient on lower power. Because both are amateur-built, also weigh each individual aircraft's engine, avionics and build quality. Buyers usually decide based on whether aerobatics matter to them.
Pick the RV-6 if…
- Budget matters — from $83,800 vs $142,264, you save ~$58,464.
- Faster cruise — 166 kts vs 160 kts.
- More inventory — 13 listings vs 3.
Pick the RV-9 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$85/hr vs $90/hr.
- Longer range — 700 nm vs 630 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1997 vs 1986.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.