This 1997 Van’s RV-6A Is a Cross-Country-Proven ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Glass-panel upgrade, electronic ignition, and impeccable build quality highlight the low-time experimental.

FLYING Staff

Monday, June 08, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1997 Vans RV-6A [Credit: Andrew Dylag]

Key Takeaways:

The article features a 1997 Van's Aircraft RV-6A as "Today's Top Pick," highlighting its significance in modern sport aviation for its handling, utility, and efficient cruise capabilities.
This specific RV-6A boasts an upgraded 160 hp Lycoming O-320 engine with electronic ignition, modern avionics including a Dynon SkyView EFIS and ADS-B In/Out, and has a proven transcontinental flight history.
Listed at $108,000, the aircraft is meticulously documented with original build logs and is regarded by technicians as an exceptionally well-built example, offering a ready-to-fly, high-performance experimental aircraft.

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Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1997 Van’s Aircraft RV-6A.

Few designs have had an impact on modern sport aviation quite like the Van’s Aircraft RV series, and the side-by-side RV-6 stands as the cornerstone of that revolution.

By introducing countless builders and pilots to the joys of homebuilding, the aircraft provided a combination of, sports-car-like handling, impressive short-field utility, and efficient cross-country cruise speeds. The nosewheel “A” model adds an extra layer of ground-handling simplicity and crosswind confidence, creating a universally approachable platform that remains a highly sought-after benchmark in the experimental community.

Lifting this machine is a reliable Lycoming O-320-E2D engine that has been upgraded to put out approximately 160 hp via high-compression cylinders. Matching the airframe with 937 hours since new, the powerplant is heavily optimized for modern efficiency and easy starting thanks to an E-MAG P-Mag electronic ignition on the left side, paired with a traditional Slick magneto on the right.

Additional firewall-forward upgrades include a Sky-Tec lightweight starter and an alternator replaced in 2023. The aircraft’s cross-country capability is already thoroughly proven, with the seller having successfully flown it on a transcontinental journey from Seattle to New York.

The aircraft comes with complete documentation, including the original, detailed build logs. Demonstrating its high build standards, according to the seller, every maintenance technician who has worked on the airframe has remarked that it is one of the best-built examples of an RV they have ever encountered.

The flight deck offers a well-sorted blend of digital capability and traditional functionality. The pilot’s view is centered around a Dynon SkyView Classic EFIS display, which received a fresh screen replacement in 2025. Communications are handled by a Val COM 760 TSO, while a Narco AT 150 transponder manages squawk codes.

Modern airspace compliance is fully accounted for courtesy of a uAvionix EchoUAT transceiver providing ADS-B In and Out functionality. Navigation is aided by a legacy Garmin 196 GPS alongside a dedicated electronic flight bag (EFB) tablet mount, providing a seamless setup for an iPad Mini running ForeFlight.

Listed at $108,000, this meticulously documented Van’s RV-6A offers an outstanding opportunity to step directly into a beautifully built, cross-country-proven performer.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.