This 2024 Van’s RV-12iS Is a Flight School-Ready ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

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 2024 Van’s Aircraft RV-12iS.

While many pilots associate the Van’s Aircraft moniker with high-performance, weekend aerobatic projects, the factory-built S-LSA variants have quietly staged a revolution on the flight line.

In an era where legacy flight schools are desperate for reliable, modern trainers that don’t burn through profits at double-digit gallons per hour, the RV-12iS has emerged as the ultimate training asset. With its exceptional panoramic visibility, incredibly forgiving slow-flight characteristics, and robust low-wing stance, this platform is tailored specifically to survive the rigors of primary instruction while offering student pilots a state-of-the-art glass cockpit experience. 

Unlike the sportier, builder-focused sibling, the RV-7A, this factory-built RV-12iS is designed from the ground up for commercial utility and ease of operation. It offers a completely different mission profile than rugged, high-power backcountry haulers. Instead of burning massive amounts of fuel to cross rough terrain, the light sport trainer focuses on turning flight hours into ratings with maximum fiscal efficiency.

Hangar in Hillsboro, Oregon, this 2024 model has logged 1,447 total hours since rolling off the production line. It features a completely clean history with no damage, consecutive logbooks, and a fresh April 2026 condition and 100-hour inspection that leaves it fully certified through April 2027 and ready to work.

Powering this economical trainer is a fuel-injected Rotax 912iS Sport engine pushing out 100 hp. For flight schools tracking every penny, the Rotax’s dual electronic ignition and low fuel burn are a revelation. Showing 1,432 hours since new, the engine boasts a healthy 568 hours remaining until its 2,000-hour TBO, backed by recent cylinder compressions measuring a rock-solid 79-80/80 across the board.

Training the next generation of aviators requires a modern flight deck, and this RV-12iS delivers a digital glass experience that rivals premium cross-country cruisers. The center of attention is a massive touchscreen Garmin G3X Touch display paired with a Garmin GSU 25C Air Data Attitude Heading Reference System (ADAHRS). Pilots will seamlessly transition to advanced avionics thanks to a Garmin two-axis autopilot with GSA 28 servos and a remote Garmin GTX 35R ADS-B Out transponder. Safety on the training line is further enhanced by an ACK E-04 406 MHz ELT, with battery currency valid through January 2030.

Listed at $164,900, this 2024 Van’s RV-12iS represents an immediate, income-generating asset or personal time-builder that avoids the typical multiyear waiting list or assembly grind.

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.

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