Vans Aircraft
103 used Vans aircraft listings · $49,900–$529,000 · last refreshed 3 hours ago
About Vans Aircraft Company
Van's Aircraft, headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, is the world's most successful kit aircraft manufacturer by a wide margin. Founded by Richard VanGrunsven in 1973, Van's has sold over 11,000 kits and seen over 10,000 RV-series aircraft completed and flying — more than any other kit or experimental aircraft design in history. In October 2024, Van's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to financial difficulties related to rapid expansion, but the company was acquired and resumed operations, maintaining parts and support for the fleet. If you are looking for a Van's RV aircraft for sale, you are shopping the most popular, best-performing, and best-supported experimental aircraft market in the world.
The RV series covers virtually every mission in sport aviation. The RV-4 (two-seat tandem, 200 HP) is the original — a high-performance aerobatic sportplane. The RV-6/6A (side-by-side two-seat, 160-200 HP) is the most-built variant. The RV-7/7A replaced the RV-6 with structural improvements and is currently the best-selling two-seat kit. The RV-8/8A is the tandem-seat successor to the RV-4 with aerobatic capability and 200+ KTAS cruise. The RV-9/9A is the "easy" RV — lower wing loading, gentler handling, and lower power requirements (typically Lycoming O-320, 160 HP). The RV-10 is a four-seat, 260 HP touring machine that carries a genuine family of four at 180+ KTAS — directly competitive with a factory Cirrus SR22 at half the operating cost. The RV-12/12iS is an LSA-eligible two-seater with a Rotax 912 engine, designed for affordable sport flying. The RV-14/14A is the latest two-seat design with a wider cockpit and 210 HP Lycoming IO-390.
Van's RVs share a common design philosophy: low-drag, all-metal construction, responsive handling, and high cruise speed relative to horsepower. Most RVs cruise at 170-200+ KTAS on 8-10 GPH — significantly faster than factory aircraft of similar horsepower.
Buying a used Van's RV requires evaluating builder quality, since each aircraft is hand-built by an individual. Pre-buy inspections should focus on: build quality (riveting, wiring, systems installation), engine condition, and logbook completeness. Well-built RV-7As trade at $80,000-$150,000, RV-10s at $150,000-$280,000, and the simpler RV-12 at $60,000-$100,000. Builder reputation and quality of documentation significantly affect resale value — a professionally built RV with meticulous records can command 30-50% more than an average build. Van's RV operating costs are typically $80-$150/hr including fuel and reserves, making them among the most economical high-performance aircraft to own. The Van's RV community (VAF forums, fly-ins) is one of the most active and supportive in all of aviation.
Vans Aircraft for Sale
Price $49,900–$529,000
Vans Aircraft Price & Cost
How much does a Vans aircraft cost? Current pricing for used Vans aircraft (also known as Vans choppers or Vans helis) is broken down per model in the table below — covering acquisition price, hourly operating cost and overhaul cost.
| Type | Model | Used price range | Op cost / hr | Annual fixed | Overhaul cost | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental | $125,000–$279,505 | $100 | $10,000/yr | $25,000 | 10 | |
| Experimental | $259,000–$529,000 | — | — | — | 11 | |
| Experimental | $75,000–$128,500 | — | — | — | 9 | |
| Experimental | $50,000–$198,999 | — | — | — | 11 | |
| Experimental | $58,000–$104,900 | — | — | — | 6 | |
| Experimental | $83,000–$135,000 | $90 | $10,000/yr | $22,000 | 10 | |
| Experimental | $49,900–$164,675 | — | — | — | 12 | |
| Experimental | $110,000–$325,714 | — | — | — | 11 | |
| Experimental | $119,900–$255,000 | — | — | — | 7 | |
| Experimental | $94,500–$159,000 | $100 | $10,000/yr | $25,000 | 4 | |
| Experimental | $140,882–$198,500 | $85 | $10,000/yr | $20,000 | 3 | |
| Experimental | $115,000–$274,999 | $85 | $10,000/yr | $20,000 | 8 | |
| Experimental | $225,816–$225,816 | — | — | — | 1 |
The cost of a Vans 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.
Vans Models
Experimental
Vans Models — Specifications
Model spec| Model | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 11 | |
| 2004–now | 1 | 4 kts (7 km/h) | — | — | 11 | |
| 2007–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 8 | |
| 2018–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 11 | |
| 1979–1990 | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 6 | |
| 1986–2008 | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 9 | |
| 1992–2008 | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 11 | |
| 2001–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 11 | |
| 2001–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 9 | |
| 1995–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 4 | |
| 1997–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 3 | |
| 1995–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 7 | |
| 1995–now | 1 | 2 kts (4 km/h) | — | — | 1 |
Compare Vans Aircraft
Vans cross-family (2)
Showing the most-searched matchups. Open a model or family page for its full set of comparisons, or browse all comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions — Vans
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.
Vans Inventory by Country
| United States | 102 |
| United Kingdom | 6 |
| Italy | 5 |
| Canada | 4 |
| Poland | 3 |
| Lithuania | 2 |
Recently Sold Vans
| 2004 RV6A | $1,250,000 |
| 2015 RV-12 | $114,990 |
| 2015 RV-8 | $227,017 |
| 2008 RV-10 | $241,000 |
| 2021 RV-8 | $335,000 |
| 2003 RV-9A | $100,000 |