We didn’t choose this aircraft to make an environmental statement — we chose it because it’s genuinely better engineering. The lower emissions came with it.
The Van’s RV-12iS burns 3.7 to 4.0 gallons per hour, compared to roughly 9.0 gallons per hour in a legacy trainer. That’s a real, direct cut to both cost and emissions.
Our Rotax engines run cleanly on unleaded aviation fuel (UL94) or premium automotive gasoline (mogas) — no lead going into the communities and airspace around us.
Lighter composite propellers and modern engine design mean a noticeably quieter flight line for our neighbors at the airport.
The airlines are working hard on emissions targets over the next couple of decades. It made sense to start training pilots with that mindset from their very first flight, not their first airline interview.
— Founder, VNAV Flight Labs, Airline Pilot