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RV-12iS cost of ownership

What does it cost to own and operate the Van's Aircraft RV-12iS? The calculator below estimates annual cost and fully-burdened cost per flight hour, pre-filled with assumptions typical for its class and fully editable to your operation.

Class
Trainers
Engines
1 × Piston
Seats
2
Max range
460 nm

Your assumptions

Edit any field — the estimate updates instantly.

Cost per flight hour
$6,893
fully-burdened
Annual operating cost
$1,749,000
fixed + variable
Annual fixed cost
$545,000
Variable cost / hour
$3,010

Where the money goes (annual)

  • Other$1,387,293
  • Maintenance$520,000
  • Fuel$480,000
  • Crew$280,000
  • Insurance$90,000
Members & partners

The complete ownership & ROI analysis

The figures above are indicative. The complete model — built on verified data and current market pricing for a specific aircraft, and extended to financing, charter economics, a five-year projection and full ROI, NPV and IRR analysis — is prepared for our members and partners.

5-year ROI projection

Year-by-year cash flow, equity & ROI

Financing & amortization

Down payment, interest, balance owed, true cost of debt

Charter revenue & break-even

Utilisation, occupancy, break-even hours

NPV / IRR + client-ready PDF

Discounted returns and an exportable report

View membership plans

An account shows cost per flight hour and annual cost. Membership adds the five-year ROI, financing, charter economics, NPV/IRR and report exports.

These figures are indicative — class-typical starting values for the RV-12iS, not its price or a quotation. A precise, data-backed analysis with current market pricing is available through a HangarMart membership on the RV-12iS page, or prepared with our advisors.

About the RV-12iS

The Van's Aircraft RV-12iS — part of the RV Series family — is a training aircraft aimed at flight training and time-building. It entered service in 2011 and is now a current-generation design, developed in the United States.

On performance, it offers a maximum range of about 460 nautical miles and a cruise of roughly 119 knots. It seats up to 2 passengers and is powered by 1 Rotax 912iS Sport engine.

Its 460 nm range makes it well matched to short-haul hops and local operations. It is certified for single-pilot operation.

RV-12iS cost of ownership: FAQs

How much does it cost to own a RV-12iS?

Total cost of ownership for the RV-12iS depends mostly on how much you fly it. The largest drivers are crew, the engine/maintenance program, fuel, insurance and hangarage. Enter your own annual hours in the calculator above for an estimated annual cost and a fully-burdened cost per flight hour, then talk to our advisors for a precise model built on current market data.

What is the RV-12iS's operating cost per flight hour?

Hourly cost is driven by fuel burn, engine and airframe maintenance programs, and reserves. As a trainers with piston powerplant, the RV-12iS sits in that class's cost band — variable (hourly) costs rise with utilisation while fixed costs are spread across more hours. Use the calculator to see the cost per hour at your expected annual hours.

What are the biggest costs of owning a RV-12iS?

Ownership costs split into fixed costs that you pay regardless of flying (crew salaries, insurance, hangar, management and scheduled maintenance reserves) and variable costs that scale with hours flown (fuel, engine-program charges and maintenance). For a trainers like the RV-12iS, crew and the engine program are typically among the largest line items.

Is it cheaper to charter or to own a RV-12iS?

At low or variable annual utilisation, chartering or leasing is usually more economical because you avoid the fixed costs of ownership; above a breakeven level of annual hours, owning the RV-12iS tends to win. Model your hours in the calculator, then compare against our charter and leasing options to find your breakeven.

Are these RV-12iS cost figures exact?

No — the defaults are indicative, class-typical starting values, not the price of the RV-12iS or a quotation. They are there so the estimate is sensible for the aircraft's class; adjust every input to your operation. A precise, data-backed ownership model with current market pricing is available through our acquisition advisory team.

Thinking about the RV-12iS?

Our advisory team can build a precise ownership model for the RV-12iSand tell you, independently, whether it's the right aircraft for your mission.

Acquisition advisory