Van's RV-9
Piston single engine • Low Wing • Fixed gear
Range Map
• nm at current load
• click map to move • two fingers to move map
Payload vs. Range
Configure weights
Default: 190 lbs
Default: 30 lbs
gal
Fuel on board
lbs
Extra weight
nm
Range
Mission Profile
Estimated Ownership Costs
About the Van's RV-9
Overview
The Van’s RV-9 is a two-seat, side-by-side, low-wing Experimental Amateur-Built kit aircraft from Van’s Aircraft of Aurora, Oregon, first flown in 1997 as the line’s cross-country and training specialist. Built around a longer, higher-aspect-ratio Roncz-airfoil wing and deliberately lower-power Lycoming engines (O-235 to O-320, 118 to 160 hp), it cruises about 163 knots true, stalls clean near 49 knots, and is tuned for efficient cruising and gentle low-speed manners rather than aerobatics. It is among the lower-power RVs to operate and, with its low stall and docile handling, among the more forgiving to land.
The RV-9 sits at the practical, non-aerobatic end of Van’s two-seat line, sharing a fuselage with the aerobatic RV-7 but trading the symmetric wing for an efficient long one. Buyers cross-shop it against certified two-seat trainers and against the RV-7 itself, where the decision is efficiency and docility versus speed and aerobatics. Choose the Van’s RV-9 when you want a frugal, forgiving cross-country and training two-seater, you favor lower-power, economical engines, and you do not need an aerobatic airframe.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Efficient long wing. A higher-aspect-ratio Roncz airfoil gives the RV-9 strong cruise efficiency, a low stall, and short-field manners.
- Low operating cost. Designed for 118 to 160 hp engines, it is among the most economical RVs to feed and maintain.
- Forgiving low-speed handling. A clean stall near 49 knots and benign manners make it an approachable cross-country and training airplane.
- Likely sport-pilot eligible. Its low clean stall sits comfortably under the MOSAIC 59 KCAS sport-pilot limit, subject to a calibrated-stall confirmation.
Trade-offs
- Not aerobatic. Van’s certifies the RV-9 to utility loads only; builders who want to roll and loop choose the RV-7 or RV-8.
- Lower power by design. Capped around 160 hp, it is slower than the 200 hp RV-7; that is the trade for its economy.
- Two seats only. Family hauling belongs to the four-seat RV-10.
- Amateur-built responsibility. Expect a long build, or a pre-buy that establishes a finished example’s workmanship, with the experimental operating profile.
See Also
- Van’s RV-7 – the aerobatic, higher-power sibling on the same fuselage, for builders who want speed and g over economy. Compare
- Van’s RV-12 – the lighter light-sport two-seater at the entry of the RV line. Compare
- Van’s RV-14 – the larger, more powerful two-seater for builders who want more airplane. Compare
- Van’s RV-6 – the earlier side-by-side two-seater, faster but less efficient. Compare
- Sling 2 – a Rotax light-sport two-seater at the economical end of the homebuilt spectrum. Compare
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Height
- 5.83 ft
- Length
- 20.42 ft
- Parking area (ft2)
- 965.96 ft2
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 1,750 lbs
- Useful Load
- 707 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 36 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- Source: manufacturer figure 163 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (VNE)
- Source: manufacturer figure 182 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (VNO)
- Source: manufacturer figure 156 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 62 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (VS1)
- Source: manufacturer figure 49 KIAS
- Range
- 617 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 19,000 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 1450 fpm
Sources
Where the figures on this page come from. Van's RV-9 specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.
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Van's Aircraft -- Airspeed Indicator Markings chart (Rev 1, 2023-12-05), RV-9/9A column; red line is true and indicated, statute mph www.vansaircraft.com
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