This 2024 Van’s RV-9A Is a Museum-Grade ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Aerospace-standard build, custom metallic paint, and dual Garmin G3X Touch define the cross-country traveling machine.

FLYING Staff

Monday, April 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

2024 Vans RV-9A [Credit: Steve Dame]

Key Takeaways:

The article highlights a 2024 Van's RV-9A as "Today's Top Pick," praised for its design focused on efficient, stable cross-country flight.
This specific RV-9A is described as a rare "unicorn" build, constructed to aerospace standards by a distinguished engineer, featuring a museum-grade finish and a luxurious, high-end interior.
It boasts impressive performance and efficiency with a Lycoming IO-320 engine, delivering over 2,000 fpm climb, a 150-knot cruise, and 25 mpg fuel economy.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art dual Garmin G3X Touch IFR panel and priced at $274,999, it's presented as a turnkey, IFR-ready 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 2024 Van’s RV-9A.

While the RV-7 and RV-8 often dominate the conversation regarding aerobatic prowess and total performance, the RV-9 was designed for a different, more refined mission. It is the distance runner of the Van’s family, featuring a longer, high-aspect-ratio wing optimized for efficiency and stable cross-country flight.

Finding an RV-9A of this caliber is a rare occurrence. Located at Paine Field (KPAE) in Everett, Washington, this airframe shows just 325 hours since it was first flown to Oshkosh in 2024. Described as a “unicorn” build, it was constructed to aerospace standards by a distinguished aerospace engineer, offering a museum-grade finish that suggests a level of precision rarely seen in the amateur-built market.

Eschewing the utilitarian look of many kitplanes, this interior features an Aerosport carbon-fiber panel and luxury seating from Oregon Aero and Classic Aero. The details are surgical—custom laser-backlit switches, integrated reading lights, and dual Garmin USB charging ports. It feels less like a light aircraft and more like a high-end sports sedan.

While some builders opt for larger powerplants, the Lycoming IO-320 engine, paired with a Whirlwind 300-70 constant-speed composite propeller creates a high-performance, high-efficiency balance. The aircraft delivers a climb rate exceeding 2,000 fpm and a 150-knot cruise speed while sipping fuel at a rate of 25 mpg—effectively doubling the efficiency of many legacy certified aircraft in the same class.

The panel is a showcase of 21st-century IFR automation. It features a dual Garmin G3X Touch suite, which serves as the tactical hub for the pilot, supported by a GTN 650Xi and a G5 standby instrument with a four-hour battery backup. With the GMC 507 autopilot and full Garmin EIS integration, the cockpit provides a level of situational awareness and safety that allows for confident navigation through complex airspace.

Listed at $274,999, this RV-9A is for the buyer who recognizes that not all experimental aircraft are created equal. It is a turnkey, IFR-ready machine that offers the best of the Van’s total performance philosophy without the wait.

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.