Van's Aircraft
185 used Van's aircraft listings · last refreshed 11 hours ago
About Van's Aircraft Company
Van's Aircraft is the Oregon company behind the RV-series — by far the most successful line of experimental amateur-built (E-AB) kit aircraft in history, with more than 11,000 RVs completed and flying. RVs are prized for their combination of sprightly performance, excellent handling ("the RV grin"), build quality and value: an aluminium RV typically out-performs comparable factory-certified aircraft on less horsepower, at a fraction of the new-aircraft price. The line spans two-seat sport tourers (RV-6/7/9), tandem aerobatic two-seaters (RV-4/8), the four-seat RV-10, the light-sport RV-12, and the modern RV-14. There are currently 185 used Van's RV aircraft for sale. 🚨 **Important — experimental category**: RVs are amateur-built, NOT factory type-certified. Each aircraft is unique to its builder. This makes **build quality, completeness of documentation, and condition far more important than model-spec** — a well-built, well-documented RV is excellent; a poorly-built one can be a liability. Pre-buy by an RV-experienced inspector is essential.
Van's Aircraft for Sale
Van's Aircraft Price & Cost
How much does a Van's aircraft cost? Current pricing for used Van's aircraft is broken down per model in the table below — covering acquisition price, hourly operating cost and overhaul cost.
| Model | Used price range | Op cost / hr | Annual fixed | Overhaul cost | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental | |||||
| $7,093–$104,900 | — | — | — | 13 | |
| $27,021–$170,000 | $90 | $10,000/yr | $22,000 | 34 | |
| $80,000–$349,000 | — | — | — | 29 | |
| $4,864–$465,000 | $100 | $10,000/yr | $25,000 | 64 | |
| $94,500–$159,000 | $100 | $10,000/yr | $25,000 | 4 | |
| $115,000–$274,999 | $85 | $10,000/yr | $20,000 | 14 | |
| $165,000–$529,000 | — | — | — | 18 | |
| $75,000–$128,500 | — | — | — | 13 | |
The cost of a Van's aircraft depends on model, year, hours flown, avionics and condition. See operating costs and pre-buy checklist in the About section, or open a specific model page for a detailed price guide.
Van's Models — Specifications
Model spec| Model | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | ||||||
| 1979–1995 | 2 | 150 kt | 510 nm (945 km) | 600 lbs (272 kg) | 13 | |
| 1986–2008 | 2 | 166 kt | 630 nm (1,167 km) | 620 lbs (281 kg) | 34 | |
| — | — | — | — | — | 29 | |
| 1979–now | 2 | 173 kt | 686 nm (1,270 km) | 640 lbs (290 kg) | 64 | |
| 1995–now | 2 | 173 kt | 700 nm (1,296 km) | 650 lbs (295 kg) | 4 | |
| — | — | — | — | — | 0 | |
| 1995–now | 2 | 160 kt | 650 nm (1,204 km) | 600 lbs (272 kg) | 14 | |
| 2004–now | 4 | 171 kt | 930 nm (1,722 km) | 1,050 lbs (476 kg) | 18 | |
| 2007–now | 2 | 117 kt | 550 nm (1,019 km) | 560 lbs (254 kg) | 13 | |
| — | 2 | 175 kt | 900 nm (1,667 km) | 650 lbs (295 kg) | 0 | |
Van's Models
Which Van's is right for you?
Each model below shows what it is best for — compare by mission, cabin size and budget.
Experimental
Compare Van's Aircraft
Within-family variants (3)
Van's cross-family (4)
vs. Competitors (6 of 11)
Showing the most-searched matchups. Open a model or family page for its full set of comparisons, or browse all comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions — Van's
Why are Van's RV aircraft so popular?
Van's RV series is the most popular kit aircraft in the world, with over 11,000 flying — one-third of the entire U.S. experimental aircraft fleet. On average, 1.5 new RVs are completed and flown for the first time each day. The appeal is simple: RVs deliver responsive handling and impressive performance (160-200+ knot cruise speeds) at a fraction of certified aircraft costs. The all-aluminum construction is proven and relatively easy to build. Models range from the aerobatic RV-3 single-seater to the four-seat RV-10 family cruiser.
How much does a Van's RV kit cost to build?
Van's RV kits range from approximately $30,000-$50,000 for the airframe kit, depending on model. Add $30,000-$60,000 for engine (typically Lycoming), $15,000-$35,000 for avionics, $5,000-$10,000 for propeller, plus paint and finishing. Total build cost: $80,000-$150,000 for most models. Build time averages 1,500-3,000 hours. Completed flyaway RVs sell for $80,000-$250,000 on the used market depending on model, build quality, and equipment. On AeroGurus, we list 73 active Van's aircraft.
Which Van's RV model should I build?
Popular choices depend on your mission. The RV-7/7A is the most versatile: two seats, aerobatic-capable, 180+ knot cruise, and available in tailwheel (RV-7) or nosewheel (RV-7A) versions. The RV-10 is the only four-seater — ideal for families. The RV-8 is the performance choice: tandem seating, aerobatic, and fast. The RV-12iS is a light sport aircraft that does not require a build inspection and can be flown with a Sport Pilot certificate. Over 2,600 RV-6/6A aircraft have been completed, making it the most proven model.
Is it safe to fly a homebuilt Van's RV?
Van's RV aircraft have an excellent safety record for experimental aircraft, though like all homebuilts, build quality varies by builder. The key safety factors are: following the plans precisely, getting builder assistance from experienced RV builders, having a qualified A&P inspect the completed aircraft, and proper first-flight preparation. The standardized kit design (vs. plans-only homebuilts) significantly reduces build errors. Most RV accidents are attributed to pilot error rather than structural or design issues.
Van's Inventory by Country
| United States | 123 |
| United Kingdom | 19 |
| Australia | 17 |
| Canada | 5 |
| Poland | 3 |
| Italy | 3 |
Recently Sold Van's
| 2001 RV-6 | $72,820 |
| 1999 RV4 | $58,256 |
| 2011 RV-8 | $125,000 |
| 2022 RV-10 G3X | $429,525 |
| 2015 RV-12 | $114,990 |
| 2015 RV-8 | $227,017 |