Van's RV-8 Aircraft in Australia

Australian-registered aircraft (VH- prefix) operate under CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) certification. Active GA market with strong Daher TBM, Cirrus, Cessna and Beechcraft fleets. Outback flying creates active utility aircraft market (Cessna Caravan, Pilatus PC-12). Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth major hubs.

Tandem two-seat RV — fighter-style front/back seating, the most aerobatic-friendly RV, ~190 kt on a 180-200 hp Lycoming. Popular for sport aerobatics and the "warbird-feel" tandem layout.

Van's RV-8 aircraft for sale

2 used Van's RV-8 aircraft for sale in Australia · 2-seat · Used median asking $164,000 · updated yesterday

Van's RV-8 Specifications

Model spec

The Van's RV-8 is a 2-seat experimental with a cruise speed of 173 kt (320 km/h), a range of 686–700 nm (1,270–1,296 km), and a useful load of 640–650 lbs (290–295 kg).

Performance
Cruise173 kt (320 km/h)
Max Speed182 kt (337 km/h)
Range686–700 nm (1,270–1,296 km)
Service Ceiling22,000 ft (6,706 m)
Engine & Fuel
Horsepower180 HP
Fuel Burn9.0 GPH (34 L/h)
TBO2,000 hrs
ICAO TypeRV8
Weights & Seats
Seats2
Max Gross Weight1,800 lbs (816 kg)
Useful Load640–650 lbs (290–295 kg)
Production1979–present

Van's RV-8 for Sale

Van's RV-8 asking prices range from $119,000 to $222,344, with a median of $164,000 (market reference $155,000).

$163,340
For Sale
Reg# VH-YKY Australia
Location Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Multiple sources
$198,067
For Sale
Total Time 27
Reg# VH-8CB Australia
Location Western Australia, Australia
Listed 16d ago

Van's RV-8 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
RV-8A 1995–now 2 173 kts (320 km/h) 700 nm (1,296 km) 650 lbs (295 kg) $94K – $159K 4

Compare Van's RV-8

See how the Van's RV-8 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

Van's RV-8 Price & Cost

How much does a Van's RV-8 cost? Used RV-8 prices: $119K – $222K, average $164K (median $164K); market reference $155K, across 10 priced of 2 active listings.

Van's RV-8 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Van's RV-8 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (9.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$5,580/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$10,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$100/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 2,000 hrs)$25,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Buying a Used Van's RV-8

Buying a Van's RV-8 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

builder/documentation; taildragger (RV-8) vs tricycle (RV-8A); Lycoming condition; aerobatic-stress inspection; glass avionics. vs RV-7: tandem aerobatic vs side-by-side sport.

Frequently Asked Questions — Van's RV-8

What should buyers know about the Van's RV-8?
The RV-8 is a two-seat, tandem-seating aerobatic experimental with 180-200+ knots cruise. Lycoming IO-360 power (180 hp) or IO-390 (210 hp) versions exist. Aerobatic rating to +6/-3 G makes it one of the most capable aerobatic experimentals. Build quality varies — condition inspection by an RV-experienced A&P is essential. Used prices range from $80-140K for quality builds.
RV-8 vs. RV-7 — which is better for buyers?
The RV-8 has tandem seating (better for aerobatics, more fighter-like feel) while the RV-7 has side-by-side seating (better for passengers and cross-country). Both have similar performance. The RV-7 is more practical for travel; the RV-8 is more fun for sport flying. RV-7s have more buyers on the used market, so resale is generally easier.

Van's RV-8 Inventory by Country

Australia1

Van's RV-8 by Price

Under $200k1
Under $300k1
Under $500k1

Van's RV-8 by Decade

2010s1
2020s1

Recently Sold Van's RV-8

2018 RV-8$162,381

Van's RV-8 Safety Record

Across all RV-8 variants, 5 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 2019–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

5

Total Events

3

Incidents

0

Serious

2

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Jan 26, 2026 Norwell, OF Fatal (2)
May 31, 2022 Galice, OR Incident The in-flight failure of the crankshaft gear’s alignment dowel as a result of the retaining bolt not being installed, wh…
Jun 29, 2020 McMinnville, OR Incident The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in a collision with a runway marker.
Oct 20, 2019 White Plains, AL Fatal (1) Impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Jul 20, 2019 Oshkosh, WI Incident The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate spacing from the lead airplane while landing following revised landing instruct…

NTSB records 2019–2026. Includes all Van's RV-8 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed yesterday · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data