Pipistrel Alpha Trainer vs Van's RV-12

Side-by-side specs, range, and operating costs.

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

Pipistrel Alpha Trainer
34 ft × 21 ft ⭥ 7 ft
1× Piston Fixed Unpressurized
Van's RV-12
27 ft × 20 ft ⭥ 8 ft
1× Piston Fixed Unpressurized

Flight Profile

Service ceiling, range, and climb rate.

Tap legend to isolate

Arc represents the climb-cruise-descent profile based on published service ceiling and range. Climb rate annotated on ascent. FL180 (18,000 ft) shown for reference.

Mission Performance

Stall, approach, cruise, range, ceiling and climb: best values are at the top.

Mission performance specifications
Specification Pipistrel Alpha TrainerVan's RV-12
Stall speed 49 kt45 kt
Approach speed 48 kt58 kt
Cruise speed 106 kt121 kt
Range 324 nm472 nm
Service ceiling 18000 ft13800 ft
Rate of climb 948 fpm900 fpm
Fuel burn 3.5 gph4.5 gph

Each axis is scaled independently across the compared aircraft and printed in its own units; every vertex sits at the published figure. Higher is better on all axes: Stall, Approach and Fuel Burn are inverted (lower = higher). A missing figure breaks the line at that axis.

Fuel Burn & Range

Range, endurance, and what the fuel costs by the hour.

Pipistrel Alpha Trainer Mogas
3.5 gph
Baseline
324 nm range 30.3 nm/gal 13 gal usable $18 fuel/hr 3h 42m endurance
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer: 3.5 gph at cruise, 324 nautical mile published range, 3 hour 42 minute endurance, 30.3 nautical miles per gallon.
Van's RV-12 Mogas
4.5 gph
Baseline
472 nm range 26.9 nm/gal 20 gal usable $22 fuel/hr 4h 26m endurance
Van's RV-12: 4.5 gph at cruise, 472 nautical mile published range, 4 hour 26 minute endurance, 26.9 nautical miles per gallon.
Mogas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed

Bars show published still-air range: select a cell to view cruise-hours and fuel usage. Endurance is full tank at the displayed cruise burn rate; the extra is reserve and economy margin. Estimates only. Always verify against the POH.

Runway Performance

Density altitude adjusted estimates

Outside Air Temp
0°F57°F115°F
Field Elevation
SL4,0008,000 ft

Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle

Landing over 50 ft obstacle

Density Altitude

Monte cristo

Base distance DA penalty
Scale: 6,000 ft

FAA 10%/1,000 ft DA rule of thumb (FAA-H-8083-25B). Turboprops and jets are less sensitive in practice. Always verify against the POH.

Estimated Operating Costs

Hourly direct and annual fixed costs

Scale:
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer Mogas
$30 /hr
Baseline
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer: $30 per flight hour — fuel $18, maintenance and reserve $12.
Van's RV-12 Mogas
$34 /hr
Baseline
Van's RV-12: $34 per flight hour — fuel $22, maintenance and reserve $12.
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer Piston
$8,317 /yr Baseline
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer: $8,317 per year — insurance $2,200, hangar $5,267, annual inspection $850.
Van's RV-12 Piston
$7,217 /yr Baseline
Van's RV-12: $7,217 per year — insurance $2,200, hangar $4,167, annual inspection $850.

Estimates only. Hourly direct operating cost, based on fuel price and reserves; Annual fixed costs (insurance, hangar, and inspection). Costs vary by location, pilot profile, and market conditions. See individual aircraft pages for source notes.

Capability & limits

Payload vs useful load limit

+ cargo
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1
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer Piston
2 / 2 seats cargo 13 gal / 13 gal fuel 473 lbs wet payload 551 lbs useful 1,212 lbs MTOW
Van's RV-12 Piston
2 / 2 seats cargo 20 gal / 20 gal fuel 425 lbs wet payload 545 lbs useful 1,320 lbs MTOW

Shows selected occupants against full fuel, within the aircraft's useful-load limit. Fuel weight at 6.7 lb/gal jet-A, 6.0 lb/gal avgas; pax and luggage are 190 + 30 . Change payload weights in global settings.

Payload-Range Map

Origin: → · two fingers to move map

+ cargo
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1

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